In August, heavy rainfall triggered a significant environmental incident at the U.S. Yokota Air Base in western Japan. Approximately 48,000 liters of water contaminated with PFAS synthetic chemicals overflowed from a firefighting training area, according to a recent report by the Asahi Shimbun citing the Tokyo metropolitan government.
The Tokyo officials were notified about the leak on October 3rd by the U.S. military through the Japanese Defense Ministry. The following day, a council comprising officials from the metropolitan government and affected municipalities expressed deep regret over the delayed reporting to Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani.
The council has urged the Japanese government to take responsibility for a thorough investigation and to analyze the potential impact of the leak on groundwater and other environmental resources. PFAS, a group of over 10,000 artificial chemicals including PFOS and PFOA, are commonly used in products like frying pan coatings and water-repellent clothing. These substances have been found in high concentrations near Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military bases, as well as industrial areas across Japan.
Last June, Japan's Food Safety Commission announced that PFAS chemicals have undeniable effects on birthweight and reduced immunity, following their detection nationwide which raised concerns among local residents. Since last year, regions such as Okinawa, Osaka, and Tokyo have reported excessive PFAS levels in their water bodies and abnormal blood test results among nearby residents.
The recent leak at Yokota Air Base adds to the growing list of environmental challenges posed by PFAS contamination in Japan, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to address and mitigate the impacts of these persistent chemicals.
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PFAS-contaminated water leaked from U.S. army base in Japan in August
cgtn.com
