Shocking Water Quality Pollution Figures in Kamagaya City 240 Times and Settsu City 420 Times the Standard Value

Japan’s water is in crisis due to the carcinogenic substance ‘PFAS.’
Values significantly exceeding national targets have been detected in various locations.
We report the chilling reality by gathering comprehensive information from experts and local governments.

Known as the ‘forever chemicals,’ the carcinogenic organic fluorine compounds ‘PFAS’ have become a nationwide social issue, contaminating water across Japan.

In groundwater from Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture, the levels are 240 times the national target, and in Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture, they are 420 times. The map below lists 51 dangerous locations with high PFAS detection. Residents living in the Karuizawa area of Kamagaya City speak with concern.

“My well is about 30 meters deep. Many people around here have been drinking well water since birth and using it for baths and farming. Hearing that high concentrations of harmful substances have been detected makes me anxious about my health.”

PFAS are used in a wide range of applications, including non-stick coatings for frying pans, waterproof sprays, and foam fire extinguishers. Developed in the United States since 1949, there are over 10,000 types of these chemicals closely tied to daily life, but they are said to have many health impacts when ingested by the human body. Akio Koizumi, Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University and an expert on PFAS issues, explains.

“When PFAS enter the body, they can remain for a long time, with some taking up to 40 years to be 95% excreted. They accumulate in the liver and kidneys, leading to negative health effects. Two types of PFAS, ‘PFOA’ and ‘PFOS,’ have been highlighted for their harmfulness. In December of last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified PFOA as carcinogenic to humans and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans. There are four well-established health impacts: 1) Reduced antibody response, such as decreased vaccine efficacy, 2) Dyslipidemia, 3) Growth retardation in infants and fetuses, and 4) Increased risk of kidney cancer.”

It has also been revealed that PFAS are being absorbed into the body. The ‘Osaka PFAS Pollution and Health Consideration Group’ conducted blood tests on 1,190 residents of Osaka Prefecture starting in September of last year. Yuriko Nagaoka from the group provides an explanation.

“Of the 459 people whose results have been determined so far, the average combined value of PFOA and PFOS is 14.9 ng per mL (nanograms, which is one billionth of a gram). The maximum value was 605.1 ng. Among the residential areas, residents of Settsu City had the highest levels. It is determined that a combined value of 20 ng or more for four types of PFAS indicates significant health risks, and 30% of the subjects exceed this level.”

 

“From Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military facilities”

The toxicity has become clear, and the government has banned the manufacture and import of PFOA and PFOS by 2021. Combining both substances, an interim target value of 50 ng per liter was set. The PFAS evaluation report compiled by the Cabinet Office’s Food Safety Committee this June also warns of health risks, stating that low birth weight and other effects on newborns have been observed. However, as mentioned earlier, serious pollution of rivers and groundwater is being confirmed one after another. Koizumi continues.

“The causes are largely considered to be twofold. The first is contamination resulting from the leakage of PFAS-containing foam fire extinguishers from Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military facilities. The second is emissions from industrial use, such as from factories, and leaks from industrial waste disposal sites.”

In a March survey conducted by cities including Kashiwa in Chiba Prefecture, multiple locations around the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Shimosa Air Base (Kashiwa City) were found to have measured 1000 ng per liter. According to the prefecture, the base previously held 5140 liters of foam fire extinguishing agents. Kashiwa City and others have requested residents not to drink well water and have asked the base for cooperation in the investigation.

Okinawa Prefecture, where high contamination has been confirmed in wells around military airfields such as Futenma and Kadena, also considers that U.S. military facilities are likely to be the cause. A prefectural official comments.

“There is a facility on the base where fire drills are conducted. We believe that PFAS released during these drills may have remained in the ground. Even when we request cooperation from the U.S. military for on-site inspections, there has been no response” (Environmental Conservation Section).

In a representative case from Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture, Daikin Industries’ Yodogawa Plant has been highlighted. The company manufactured PFOA until 2012. In response to the detection of levels exceeding the interim values from waterways and groundwater, the company has judged that we are one of the causes and is currently implementing measures such as installing a barrier to prevent external leakage of groundwater within the factory premises.

Mr. Koizumi, mentioned earlier, points out that there are many contaminated areas that have not been fully investigated.

“Regions where foam fire extinguishers were used in the past or where PFAS were used in manufacturing processes are particularly concerning. What can be done is to avoid drinking well water from contaminated areas and to undergo blood tests at specialized institutions. Moreover, Japan’s interim target values are more lenient compared to those in Europe and the U.S. The government bears significant responsibility for having neglected this issue.”

Water, essential for daily life. The shock of high-level contamination is immeasurable.

From the July 26/August 2, 2024 issue of FRIDAY