Delek Menta Fined 1.13M Shekels for Clean Air Violations at Jerusalem Station
Delek Menta has been fined 1.13 million shekels by the Ministry of Environmental Protection for clean air violations and toxic fuel vapor leaks at a Jerusalem gas station.
Delek Menta Retail has been fined 1.13 million shekels for multiple violations of clean air regulations at the Mifgash Oranim gas station on Pierre Koenig Street in Jerusalem.
The fine was imposed following an inspection by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which revealed severe deficiencies causing toxic fuel vapor emissions. Inspectors discovered that the monitoring system failed to record data as required, mandatory periodic tests were neglected, and underground fuel storage tanks lacked essential sealing gaskets, allowing direct and uncontrolled vapor release.
Environmental authorities stressed that the violations involve dangerous volatile organic compounds, including benzene, a known carcinogen. Vapor recovery systems can reduce such emissions by up to 85%, but inadequate sealing poses severe health risks and odor nuisances to the public.
Dr. Yitzhak Kedem, head of the Transportation Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, emphasized the importance of rigorous enforcement to protect public health from hazardous pollutants.
Following the investigation, Delek Menta replaced the vapor recovery system and installed the missing gaskets. Nevertheless, the Ministry finalized the 1.13 million shekel penalty for three distinct regulatory breaches.
