The Japanese Environment Ministry has set a deadline for water utility companies to investigate and report on the presence of organic fluorine compounds in tap water that may pose risks to human health, specifically focusing on PFAS. These compounds, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), are known for their persistence in the environment due to their resistance to breaking down, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals."
There is a debate within the expert panel on whether to establish stricter regulations and obligatory measures for local authorities and other entities when elevated levels of PFAS are detected in tap water. The government's current guideline aims to maintain PFAS concentrations in tap water at or below 50 nanograms per liter, aligning with international standards; however, some countries like the United States have recently implemented much lower thresholds for these substances.
The Japanese government has introduced a provisional target limit for PFAS in tap water as well as rivers and underground channels. Despite discussions on potential revisions, the current permissible level remains unchanged due to the Food Safety Commission's assessment that daily exposure to specific PFAS compounds within certain limits poses no immediate health risks. The ministry is considering making it obligatory for water utilities to monitor PFAS levels and take corrective actions if concentrations surpass established thresholds, similar to existing regulations for other hazardous substances.