The controversy is inflaming an already sensitive situation for the U.S. military on the island.
By Simon Denyer and Simon Denyer Tokyo bureau chief covering Japan, North Korea and South Korea. Email Bio Follow Akiko Kashiwagi May 24 at 5:00 AM TOKYO — The U.S. military on the Japanese island of Okinawa is facing claims of environmental contamination after high levels of a carcinogenic chemical were found in the rivers around a U.S. air base and in the bloodstream of local residents, according to a new study.
The chemicals have a wide array of consumer and industrial uses from nonstick cookware to firefighting foam, but do not break down in the environment, and are now the target of a series of congressional bills demanding stronger action to regulate their use and decontaminate water supplies around the United States.
“U.S. military installations in Japan are transitioning to an alternative formula of aqueous film-forming foam that is PFOS free, only contains trace amounts of PFOA, and meets military specifications for firefighting,” he said.“We have seen press reports but have not had a chance to review the Kyoto University study, so it would be inappropriate to comment on its findings,” said Hutcheson.
Koizumi and Harada said it was not clear how the contamination was affecting residents’ health, but said it was evident that tap water had been contaminated. “To begin with, I think it is a problem for the issue not to be addressed for as long as three years,” he said in response to Yara’s question. “We as the government take the issue seriously, and will begin with an investigation.” Only after that investigation would the government talk to the U.S. military about the issue, he said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Video: Stephen Colbert ponders rising tensions in Middle East, arrival of U.S. military—'worst throwback Thursday'The Late Show host made comparisons between current tensions with Iran and the prelude to war with Iraq in 2003.
Read more »
U.S. military families far unhappier with housing than landlords claimMilitary landlords often report high tenant satisfaction scores in annual surveys. But an expanded survey of families, conducted by a nonprofit, shows the opposite by jschney & michaelbpell
Read more »
U.S. military families more negative about housing than landlords claim, survey showsU.S. military families are expressing far deeper dissatisfaction with their hous...
Read more »
Pentagon mulling U.S. military request to send 5,000 troops to Middle East: officialsThe U.S. Department of Defense is considering a U.S. military request to send ab...
Read more »
Defense policy bill authorizes more F-35s for U.S. militaryThe U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday unveiled a draft $750 billi...
Read more »
U.S. Senate committee proposes $301 million for military housing reform planThe Senate Armed Services Committee has proposed $301 million in new funding to ...
Read more »
North Korea blames U.S. for failed summit, urges 'new calculation'North Korea said on Friday an 'arbitrary and dishonest' U.S. position ...
Read more »