Harmful bacteria and large quantities of mold have been discovered in the Israel Broadcasting Authority's building, according to a report by EcoCheck, a private company that examines workplace conditions.
The report, a copy of which has been obtained by Haaretz, says that the IBA's Nakdi Studio in Jerusalem contains bacteria harmful to the digestive system as well as large quantities of mold. While Nakdi has always been used to record some IBA programs, in recent months, almost all programs have been recorded there, because the authority's Studio A is currently being renovated to enable HD broadcasts.
EcoCheck also found that Nakdi lacks fresh air and has a poor ventilating system, which has resulted in higher than recommended levels of carbon dioxide. Moreover, when broadcasts are taking place, the humidity is lower than recommended.
Nakdi is not the only problematic room. Bacteria were also found in the film archives - not the kind that harm digestion, but the kind that cause infections.
"This is really dangerous," said an IBA official. "These things constitute a danger both to the staff and to visitors who come to the studio."
The report, which was commissioned by the IBA, offers various recommendations for solving the problems, including disinfecting the building to get rid of the mold and bacteria, and installing a better ventilating system. It also said the facilities need to be kept cleaner, that cats should be prevented from entering the building, and that people should no longer be allowed to park their motorcycles in the hallway outside Nakdi.
The IBA said all the problems would be dealt with quickly, in line with EcoCheck's suggestions. "Unfortunately, the IBA's facilities, like the IBA itself, have been greatly neglected in recent years," said Zelig Rabinowitz, IBA director Yoni Ben-Menachem's senior aide.
