An explosion earlier today at a Makhteshim Agan Industries Ltd. (TASE: MAIN) facilities at the Ramat Hovav site in the Negev left at least seven people slightly injured and closed Road 40 for two hours. The blast was caused by a crack in an eight cubic meter reactor containing organophosphate pesticides. The blast sent a plume of toxic fumes into the air which took several hours to subside. Estimates are that the fumes spread for only about half of a kilometer. Employees in nearby factories were instructed to enter the secure rooms on their premises.
The Ramat Hovav Regional Council said it would investigate the incident together with experts from the Ministry of Environment. The investigation will try to find out whether the explosion was caused by negligence, or failure to follow procedures. The council added that the explosion was an isolated event. The last such explosion happened eight years ago at Ecosol Israel Ltd. 17 plants are located at Ramat Hovav, nine of them chemical plants that produces hazardous substances. Among those companies with facilities at the site are Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA), Bromine Group, and Chemagis. Ramat Hovav also has a chemical incineration plant.
The Ministry of Environment said that it viewed the event seriously and that it would investigate the causes to find ways of reducing such occurrences in the future.
A spokesperson for Makhteshim Agan said that a chemical reaction had occurred in one of the company's reactors in Ramat Hovav, disabling the production process. Five employees had taken ill and were referred for treatment as part of the company procedures in such instances. The disruption in production had been rectified and in accordance with its procedures, Makhteshim Agam had set up a team to investigate the event and was working to restore normal operations at the reactor. The spokesperson added the company had notified the Ramat Hovav Regional Council and the Ministry of Environment.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on August 13, 2007
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