Tokyo: Japanese authorities have carried out an inspection of the US Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo due to concerns about potential contamination from Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). This inspection follows a report from the US military two months ago, which indicated that water contaminated with PFAS leaked from the base during a firefighting drill.
On Friday morning, officials from various government sectors, including defense, foreign affairs, and the environment, as well as local municipalities, entered the base to investigate the area where the leak was believed to have occurred. They plan to collect water samples from the reservoir in the firefighting training area in the future.
Fumitoshi Sato, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated that this inspection was initiated in response to concerns from local residents, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with the US military.
PFAS, commonly found in many products, including fire extinguishers, are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they degrade very slowly and can accumulate in living organisms and the environment. Although the US military in Japan has ceased using PFAS-containing extinguishers, previous investigations have revealed PFAS levels in reservoirs that exceed Japan’s nonbinding interim standards.
Japan’s food safety panel has acknowledged that while evidence linking PFAS to cancer is limited, the chemicals have been associated with significant health issues, including reduced birth weight and compromised immunity. On October 3, Tokyo officials were informed by the US military that around 48,000 liters of PFAS-contaminated water overflowed from the firefighting training area during heavy rainfall on August 30.