Factory smells continue to raise a stink

Despite the factory's spending millions of shekels on an advanced machine to eliminate odors, unbearable smells are still emanating from it

By MIRIAM BULWAR DAVID-HAY (TRANSLATED)
The Ministry for Environmental Protection is preparing a case against the Frutarom fragrance factory in the Haifa Bay, saying that despite the factory's spending millions of shekels on an advanced machine to eliminate odors, unbearable smells are still emanating from it, reports Yediot Haifa. Residents and workers in surrounding areas have long complained of the stench coming from the factory, which manufactures fragrances, spices, and botanical extracts. According to the report, the new smell-neutralizing machine cost "millions of shekels" to install and works by heating the gases responsible for the odors to 700 degrees Celsius, thus breaking them down. But the ministry's Haifa district manager, Robert Reuven, says the machine has been ineffective. "It has not helped … we send a team every day and the stench there is unbearable," Reuven said. He added that the ministry was preparing a case against the factory. A Frutarom spokesman said the company adhered to national and international standards, and put "recognizable resources" into preserving the environment.