From time-to-time Haifa is in the news amid warnings the chemical plants and air pollution result in a health hazard. In this latest study, conducted by led by Prof. Boris Portnov and Dr. Jonathan Dubnov, it appears babies born in the northern port city weigh less and have smaller heads. This joins the already worrisome data that the cancer rate in Haifa is five times higher than other cities in Israel. It is also reported that Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav did his utmost, using his political weight to stop the release of the report or at the very least, include studies of other areas too towards avoiding painting his city in a negative light.

This latest study was conducted by researchers in Haifa University, Channel 2 News reported. The main problematic areas include Kiryat Chaim, Kiryat Bialik and the southeastern area of Kiryat Tivon. The babies born in these areas have weight and heads that are 20-to-30 percent lower than in other areas of Haifa and elsewhere. The researchers add the study is ongoing and it is not completed however environmental experts explain the data is sufficient to point to the severity of the problem. The findings of the completed study should be released in March 2016.

One of the experts interviewed by Channel 2 is Dr. Chaggai Levine, of Hebrew University’s School of Public Health and Community Medicine. He points out that while steps should have been taken over recent years towards improving the situation, nothing is done and data released by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs showing lower air pollution is untrue.

“There is growing evidence of a connection between air pollution and damage to the development of a fetus, which is expressed, among other things, in low birth rates, head size and other parameters,” he said.

He warned these factors for death after birth and other complications down the road which include but are not limited to diabetes, hypertension and asthma. He also mentioned cognitive issues including lower IQ among these children. Dr. Levine did state the findings have yet to be reviewed by the greater scientific community for evaluation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)