The results of a water quality survey of rivers, groundwater, etc. regarding PFAS, an organic fluorine compound some of which are considered harmful, have been published, and it has been found that PFAS, an organic fluorine compound, has been detected in 111 locations in 16 prefectures at levels exceeding the national limit.
Of the more than 10,000 types of organic fluorine compounds, some of which are artificially created, are considered harmful, and the country is asking prefectures to conduct water quality surveys regarding two of these types.
The FY2020 survey announced by the Ministry of the Environment was carried out at 1,258 locations such as rivers and groundwater in 38 prefectures, of which 111 locations in 16 prefectures were found to have PFAS concentrations of 50 nanograms per liter. It turned out that the value was exceeded.
The highest concentration of PFAS was detected in the groundwater of Settsu City, Osaka, at 21,000 nanograms, 420 times the national level, followed by rivers in Settsu City, Osaka, at 2,200 nanograms, 44 times the national level, and Kadena Town, Okinawa Prefecture. The amount is 2,100 nanograms, which is 42 times more than that found in groundwater.
According to the Ministry of the Environment, of the 111 sites, the sources of PFAS emissions have only been identified at two wells on the premises of a factory in Oita City that used to handle PFAS, and the remaining 109 sites are unknown. about it.
Additionally, although there are no locations where tap water is taken from rivers that exceed the national limit, local governments are asking residents to refrain from consuming well water that exceeds the limit.
The previous survey in FY2021 was conducted at 1,133 locations in 31 prefectures, of which high concentrations of PFAS were detected at 81 locations in 13 prefectures.