Lag B'Omer bonfires cost the Israeli economy 43 million shekels ($13.2 million) per year, and the smoke from them is equivalent to the emissions from 70,000 cars over the course of an entire years, according to a new report prepared by Chen Herzog, partner and chief economist at the accounting firm BDO Consulting in cooperation with BDO economist Yael Armon.
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The BDO analysis used data from Lag B'Omer in 2018, which was the last year in which bonfires were allowed without restrictions. In 2019, due to severe hot weather, many local municipalities banned bonfires, and in 2020, bonfires and gatherings were subject to COVID regulations about public gatherings.
Research form the Environmental Protection Ministry indicates that while the bonfires are lighted, the rate of air pollution increases by four to 10 times in comparison to regular levels. The main damage comes in the form of particulate matter released while the bonfire fuel is burned and which create a health hazard. These particles range in size from 2.5 to 10 micrometers, approximately the thickness of a strand of human hair, and can penetrate the nose's defenses and collect in the lungs. Population sectors at risk include asthma sufferers, who are particularly vulnerable.
The fires also release various gases, including carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. The damage increases even more when bonfires include not only wood, but materials such as plastic, which release various types of dioxins into the air that are poisonous, and in some cases carcinogenic.
According to Herzog, regulatory agencies in Israel are focused on the possible damage to property that Lag B'Omer fires can cause, but ignore the health and environmental problems they create.
"The Fire and Rescue Services issued a directive this year limited bonfires to dedicated areas only. This directive is designed to limit the dangers of the fires and resulting damage to property but not the environmental damage," Herzog said.
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