China News Service, June 6 (Xinhua), according to a report by the Kyodo News Agency, high-concentration organofluorine compounds that have been identified as carcinogenic and affect development have been detected in rivers and other sites in the Kadena base of the US Army in Okinawa, Japan. This is a compound called ammonium perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) used in foam fire extinguishing agents, etc., and its maximum concentration reaches hundreds of times the national tentative target value. The US military conducting the investigation did not disclose the detailed location of the detection, but there are concerns about the spread of pollution due to rivers flowing from the base.

  According to reports, organic fluorine compounds have been found in rivers, springs and tap water intake facilities around Kadena base. Okinawa County believes that the base is likely to be a source of pollution, but the US military has always refused to enter the investigation. After the pollution was discovered this time, there was again a voice calling for an investigation.

  The Kyodo News of the United States obtained the water quality survey results of the US military through the US information disclosure system.

  In the water samples collected in August 2018, the detected perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) totaled 38,000 ng per liter (1 ng is equal to one billionth of a gram), which is Japan 760 times the tentative target value. Although records show that water may have flowed out of the pump, no specific source is suggested. Another sample recorded as "river" contains about 570 nanograms per liter, which is more than 10 times the tentative target value.

  In September 2018, in the water at three locations, which may be canals and rivers, a hundred and tens of nanograms per liter were detected.

  According to reports, in response to inquiries about specific investigation locations, Kadena Base replied that "it takes time to confirm."

  The report pointed out that organic fluorine compounds are extremely difficult to decompose and will remain in the environment and ingested organisms for a long time. This substance is contained in foam fire extinguishing agent and aircraft oil, etc. In the past, foam fire extinguishing agent etc. have flowed out of Kadena base. In April 2020, a large amount of foam fire extinguishing agent also leaked from the US military’s Putianma Airport in the county. After that, the Ministry of Defense and the county entered the Putianjian Airport to conduct an investigation in accordance with the "Environmental Supplement Agreement" between Japan and the United States.

  In 2019, in an international convention that Japan also joined, it was decided not to manufacture and use perfluorooctane ammonium (PFOA) in the future, and it was also decided to restrict the use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).