Tokyo, Dec 24 (IANS) Potentially harmful PFAS chemicals have been detected at excessive levels in tap water from 44 private suppliers across Japan, including some that supply the Japanese Self-Defence Forces facilities, local media reported Tuesday.
A government survey from fiscal 2020 looked into some 2,000 private suppliers of drinking water nationwide dedicated to supplying hospitals, schools and other facilities, amid growing concerns over the health impact of the widely used and long-lasting substances already detected in water filtration plants and rivers across the country, Xinhua news agency cited a Kyodo News report.
According to the survey, the private water suppliers with excessive PFAS levels include the Air Self-Defence Force’s Ashiya Air Base in Fukuoka Prefecture, which saw a reading of 1500 nanograms, the Ground Self-Defence Force’s Camp Higashitachikawa in western Tokyo, which detected 343 nanograms, and the Fuchu Prison in western Tokyo, which detected 204 nanograms.
Of the 44 cases, 26 have already implemented measures such as switching to municipal water systems, the report said.
PFAS is a general term for a group of over 10,000 artificial chemicals that include PFOS, or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, and PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, the two most representative forms of PFAS.
The government currently sets a provisional cap for the two chemicals at a total of 50 nanograms per litre for tap water and rivers.
Since the provisional cap is currently nonbinding, the Environment Ministry has decided to require regular testing of tap water and legally enforce the 50-nanogram cap from April 2026, the report said.
The decision was approved at the ministry’s expert panel meeting held on the day, which reviewed the nationwide survey findings.
Known as “forever chemicals” that are extremely persistent in the environment and human bodies, PFAS could accumulate and lead to health problems as they do not degrade over time.
–IANS
int/as
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
