Japanese city reports chemical compounds from US naval base

YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa - The government of this east Japan city announced on July 1 that drainage water contaminated with chemical compounds suspected to cause cancer, such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid PFOS, was likely to be discharged from a U.S. naval base in the city.

The Japanese Defense Ministry reported on the matter earlier the same day after the South Kanto Defense BureauDefense Bureau alerted the city after receiving a report from the U.S. authorities.

According to the report, foam was found in a drainage treatment facility by the sea in the eastern part of the naval base in early May. When U.S. authorities examined the drainage water, PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid PFOA both organic fluorine compounds, at combined levels exceeding the Japanese government-set provisional target value of 50 nanograms per liter were detected.

There is an issue with leakage of fire-extinguishing foam containing PFOS and other hazardous materials at U.S. military bases in Okinawa Prefecture and elsewhere in Japan. The cause of the possible leaks of the substances remains unknown, according to U.S. officials. U.S. authorities are set to conduct another sampling survey, as no foam is visible at the treatment facility.

The Japanese Defense Ministry collected seawater samples in waters near where the drainage water was discharged, and is set to analyze the samples. The Yokosuka Municipal GovernmentYokosuka Municipal Government also urged Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi to clarify whether or not the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka is in possession of and uses PFOS and other chemicals, and provide an explanation to people affiliated with the fishing industry.