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Last update - 12:46 18/02/2008 Quality of air improves in central Israel, Haifa By Zafrir Rinat, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Jerusalem, Haifa, Environment  The quality of air has improved in most of the urban areas in Israel, especially in central Israel and Haifa, the Environment Ministry announced Monday. However, it is not clear how much of the improvement actually stems from active measures taken to reduce pollution. It is possible that the air quality improved due to temporary weather conditions that allow the air to diffuse. According to data released by the Environment Ministry, collected in monitoring stations around the country, 45 days of high air pollution were measured in central Israel last year, down from 59 days in 2006. In Haifa, 7 days of high pollution were recorded, down from 15 days the previous year. Advertisement In central Israel, where the main source of pollution is car emissions, a 13-24 percent decrease in carbon monoxide levels was recorded since 2006. This pollutant harms the respiratory system. Weather conditions such as high winds can diffuse the pollutants in the air and account for lower readings. A large part of the pollution in central Israel and in other places across the country stems from natural sources, mainly dust storms. These storms increase the saturation of microscopic pollution particles in the air. These particles can infiltrate the respiratory system and are a known cause of death. Out of the 45 days of high pollution recorded in central Israel in 2007, the pollution in 21 days was a result of a high concentration of microscopic pollution particles deposited in the air by desert dust storms, among other sources. No improvement in Jerusalem, Modi'in The improvement in the quality of air was not felt in Jerusalem and in Modi'in. In these two cities there was a slight rise in high air pollution days over the course of the year. In a station monitoring car emissions in Jerusalem, the levels of carbon monoxide recorded were 1.9 times higher than the recommended limit. Exposure to carbon monoxide increases the likelihood of respiratory diseases. According to the Environment Ministry, one of the reasons for the rise in pollution in Jerusalem are the public works projects underway in the city, which release a high number of pollution particles into the air. It is also possible that the projects led to an increase in traffic in and out of the city, contributing further to the pollution. As in Jerusalem, public works projects were the main cause in the rise of pollution in Modi'in as well. According to Environment Ministry data, several actions have also been taken over the last two years in efforts to reduce pollution. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Independence day Kosovars rejoice as Kosovo declares itself an independent and sovereign state. Settling the score 1/3 of W. Bank settlements are on Palestinian land seized for 'security purposes.'   1.   Air Quality in Haifa 16:33  |  Millicent 18/02/08   2.   people 19:20  |  John 18/02/08

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