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According to the latest survey results in Japan, the groundwater in 21 regions of Tokyo has excessive levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, accounting for about one-third of all areas, which may threaten the health of local residents. Compared to June last year, four new contaminated areas were identified.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government began a water quality survey in 2021 to determine the levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in groundwater in the area under its jurisdiction, which was completed in March this year. According to the latest survey, there are 21 areas in Tokyo where groundwater levels of such substances are exceeded. The four newly identified contaminated areas in Tokyo include Adachi Ward, Taito Ward, Hachioji City, and Kodaira City. Among the contaminated areas, a groundwater in Tachikawa City had the highest concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which was 12.4 times the provisional national standard in Japan.
Japan: 111 water bodies with excessive levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Across Japan, the water pollution situation is also not optimistic. According to the results of the 2022 National Water Quality Survey released by the Ministry of the Environment at the end of last month, 111 of the 1,258 water bodies in the 38 prefectures surveyed had excessive levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. In particular, the amount of such substances in the groundwater of a place in Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture, reached 420 times the provisional national standard in Japan. At the end of last year, some local residents had abnormal blood tests.
Since last year, it has been revealed in many places in Japan that the content of perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water bodies exceeds the standard, and the blood tests of nearby residents are abnormal. Since most of the incident areas are close to US military bases in Japan and Japanese Self-Defense Forces bases, these bases are considered possible sources of pollution.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: referred to as "forever chemicals"
It is reported that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are difficult to degrade and accumulate in the environment and the human body, and are called "permanent chemicals". Some medical experts have pointed out that long-term consumption of large amounts of water contaminated with such substances may affect reproductive health and children's growth and development, and even cause diseases such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.
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Editor: Angel