OSAKA - Residents in Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture, have decided to file for pollution mediation against chemical manufacturer Daikin Industries, whose plant is located in the area, after groundwater was found to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), some of which are suspected of being carcinogenic.
The residents will seek health surveys and pollution countermeasures from the company, it was learned on September 24th. According to the residents’ legal team, this will be the first pollution mediation case in Japan involving PFAS.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a class of synthetic chemicals developed in the 1940s and widely used for their resistance to water, oil, heat, and stains. They have been applied in a range of products including firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, and food packaging. Because of the strength of their carbon-fluorine bonds, they do not readily break down in the environment, earning them the label “forever chemicals.”
Their persistence has led to growing concern as they accumulate in water, soil, wildlife, and the human body. Studies have linked certain PFAS to cancer, immune system impairment, liver damage, hormonal disruption, and developmental problems. Even at low levels, prolonged exposure may pose risks, prompting governments around the world to introduce stricter regulations and pursue costly cleanup measures.
Communities affected by contamination have increasingly turned to litigation against manufacturers, and the chemicals have become the focus of a global debate over corporate responsibility, public health, and environmental safety.
Source: Kyodo
