Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 25, 2008 Iyyar 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 12:02 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

A traditional Lag Ba'omer bonfire. (Moti Kimhi) Last update - 23:24 22/05/2008 Environment Ministry: Lag Ba'omer bonfires bad for global warming By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Knesset, Lag Ba'omer  The Environment Ministry on Thursday announced that recent data it had collected shows that the air pollution on Lag b'Omer is twice the permissible level, due to the large numbers of traditional holiday bonfires. In the wake of the report, the Knesset Interior Committee recommended a reduction of bonfires in order to minimize the damage caused on the holiday. According to the data, large amounts of carbon dioxide released by the flames affect global warming. Additionally, studies show an increase in the number of emergency room visits around Lag b'Omer that are related to worsening air quality. The bonfires also cause a sharp increase in breathing difficulty for people suffering from Asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Advertisement The committee recommended that the Education Ministry instruct students about the negative impact that the bonfires have on the environment. It also proposed urging revelers to build smaller bonfires with a greater number of participants, and encourages efforts not to harm trees or burn plastic boards or colored wood. The committee also decided to ask local authorities to demarcate specific areas for the bonfires so that the Health and Environment Ministries can post public warnings about the dangers of burning plastic bags, garbage and glass. Committee chairman MK Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor) said, "The traditional holiday bonfires have environmental and health implications. Air pollution spikes significantly, and there is a risk of burns and damage to vegetation." Pines-Paz added, "We are not suggesting canceling the bonfires, but rather increasing public awareness about the damage caused by them." MK Esterina Tartman suggested that the Education Ministry initiate a competition among students to reduce the damage caused by bonfires Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   SURE, LAG B`OMER FIRES 19:34  |  Robert 22/05/08   2.   Why no concern regarding fireworks on independence day? 19:39  |  Binyamin Dissen 22/05/08   3.   Education education education 20:03  |  AytanL 22/05/08   4.   keep on attacking !!! 20:17  |  tack 22/05/08   5.   Olmerts hot air 20:20  |  George 22/05/08   6.   edcuation begins well before the day of Lag B`Omer 21:14  |  Bruno 22/05/08   7.   Molehill? 21:22  |  Motic 22/05/08   8.   IDF munitions testing bad for Global Warming 22:08  |  Observer 22/05/08   9.   Global Warming??? 23:19  |  harold 22/05/08   10.   This is a Joke, Right? 00:01  |  MIKE 23/05/08   11.   AND WHY DON`T THEY SAY THE SAME TO DRIVING ON THE HOLY DAY OF SHA 00:24  |  hayimshmuel 23/05/08   12.   benjamin dissen 2 01:57  |  potobac 23/05/08   13.   i`m sure 08:56  |  scallywag 23/05/08

Read & React Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein Responses: 209 Shmuel Rosner: Pastor Hagee was trying to stop 'second Holocaust' Responses: 14 Sources: 'Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time' Responses: 27 Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation of Israel talks Responses: 17 Israel Harel: Preparing to strike Hamas under cover of truce Send response Rosner's Domain Explaining Hagee's Holocaust remarks Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Should American Jews Embrace Living Double Lives? Rosner's Guests: can "decisive victory" against guerilla achieved? Blame the Israel Lobby for Clinton's loss? (WTR) More Headlines 09:21 Law enforcement source: Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time 09:24 ANALYSIS / Olmert's last police interview was tailor-made for him 08:35 ANALYSIS / Can Syria break its Iranian bear hug? 08:13 Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation of Israel talks 10:30 Israel and Egypt to resume Gaza talks amid split over truce terms 11:07 5 questions about Pastor Hagee and the Holocaust 11:39 Report: Iran to give Hamas missiles in wake of renewed Syria-Israel talks 11:39 Thailand: We don't object to int'l control on labor migration to Israel 11:08 Lebanon set to vote in Suleiman as president after months of crisis 08:59 Israel places 9th in 2008 Eurovision Song Contest; Russia wins Previous Editions Select Day 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved