Approximately 48,000 liters of water contaminated with PFAS synthetic chemicals overflowed from a firefighting training area at the U.S. Yokota Air Base in western Japan during heavy rainfall in August, according to reports from the Tokyo metropolitan government.
The Tokyo officials received notification of the leakage on October 3 from the U.S. military via the Japanese Defense Ministry, marking a significant delay in reporting the incident.
On October 4, a council comprising officials from the metropolitan government and affected municipalities expressed deep regret over the delayed communication to Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. The council urged the Japanese government to take responsibility for investigating and analyzing the leak's potential impact on groundwater and other environmental resources.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, refer to a group of over 10,000 artificial chemicals, including PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). These substances are commonly used in products such as non-stick cookware and water-repellent clothing. High concentrations of PFAS have been detected near Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military bases, as well as industrial areas in Japan.
In June, Japan's Food Safety Commission stated that the effects of PFAS on reduced birth weight and immunity are \"undeniable\" in its first health assessment of these substances. The widespread detection of PFAS across the country has fueled concern among local residents.
Since last year, regions in Japan including Okinawa, Osaka, and Tokyo have reported excessive levels of PFAS in their water bodies and abnormal blood test results among nearby residents.
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PFAS-contaminated water leaked from U.S. army base in Japan in August
cgtn.com
