TOKYO, NOV 25 – The Japanese city of Kibichuo in Okayama Prefecture on Monday became the first in the country to launch publicly funded blood tests for residents after very high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected in the local water supply.
At a testing facility in the city, residents began arriving for blood sampling beginning at 8:30 a.m., Xinhua citing public broadcaster reports NHK.
The initiative came after water from a local treatment plant, which supplies about 1,000 people, was found last October to contain PFAS concentrations 28 times the national interim target level.
The test is available to residents and workers, aged two and over in the affected water supply area, with approximately 790 individuals registered as of today. Blood sampling will continue until December 8, according to the report.
Results are expected to be sent to individuals by January 2025.
PFASs include more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals, including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid, which are used in products such as non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing.
In its first health assessment of the substance in June, a Japanese food safety panel concluded that the effects of PFAS on reduced birth weight and reduced immunity were “undeniable”, despite “limited evidence” of PFAS’ potential to cause cancer. – Named
