Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan has called on all gas stations in Israel to install gasoline vapor recovery systems in order to minimize the fuel vapors emitted during the filling of vehicle gas tanks. Fuel vapors are known to contain different toxins, including carcinogens such as benzene. The obligation to install and operate vapor recovery systems will be incorporated in the business licenses of all of Israel's gasoline stations stations. In recent years, benzene levels which exceed the maximum values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) were discovered in samples taken in the vicinity of gas stations. Fuel vapors are also known to contribute to the formation of ozone, which is associated, according to the WHO, with a significant rise in respiratory, cardiac and circulatory diseases and in an increased risk of stroke. Hundreds of exceedances of the WHO standard for ozone have been measured in Israel, especially inland. At present, fueling stations in Israel are required to install and operate vapor collection systems during the filling of storage tanks. The vapors are returned to the tank and the fuel terminal rather than released to the ambient air (Stage I vapor recovery). Additionally, fueling stations adjacent to residential areas and sensitive uses (up to 40 meters away) and new gas stations are required to install vapor recovery systems which capture gasoline vapors when a vehicle is fueled at the pump and are then returned to the gas tank (Stage II). The newest order by the Minister of Environmental Protection requires gas stations located at a distance of up to 80 meters from residential areas and other sensitive sites to complete the installation and operation of recovery systems within three years and for all stations throughout the country to complete installation within five years. Accordingly, vapor recovery systems are to be installed in 20% of the gas stations every year until installation in all stations is achieved within five years. Minister Erdan: "Vapors emitted from gas stations pollute the air and harm public health. Therefore I ordered all gas stations to install and operate vapor recovery systems in order to reduce the pollution." Israel's fuel companies have been asked to submit a detailed timetable for implementation of the vapor recovery plan by July 1, 2010. Implementation of the plan will keep the escape of gasoline vapors to a minimum, thus reducing air pollution throughout the country.
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