SCIENTISTS who have surveyed hundreds of people from various municipalities in Western Tokyo confirmed that concentrations of potentially harmful per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals in the blood were higher than the national average of the country.
Local reports citing, the group of scientists said that concentrations of PFAS chemicals in the blood of a group of residents were 2.7 times higher than the country’s national average.
Known as forever chemicals, PFAS are extremely persistent in human bodies and the environment.
It could also lead to health problems like cancer, liver damage, and fertility issues, among other diseases.
The said survey was based on blood samples of 650 residents from 27 municipalities in Western Tokyo, or Tama Region, and the samples were taken between November 2022 and March of this year.
PFAS levels were reportedly high especially among residents in Kokubunji City, as their blood concentrations averaged 45 nanograms per milliliter.
Japanese media said that the most suspected source of pollution in the area is the United States Air Force Yokota air base in Tama, in the past, it has been confirmed that the said base was using PFAS-containing firefighting foam.
