Japan’s food safety panel has issued its first health assessment of chemicals known as PFAS, indicating that they have undeniable effects on birthweight loss and reduced immunity, sparking concerns about cancer risk.
The Cabinet Office’s Food Safety Commission acknowledges that evidence regarding PFAS’s potential to cause cancer is limited and much remains unknown about their adverse health effects.
PFAS, referred to as “forever chemicals,” persist in the environment and the human body due to their indestructible nature. These substances, found in products like frying pan coatings and water-repellent clothing, have been detected in high concentrations near Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military bases, as well as industrial areas in Japan.
The commission has determined that the allowable daily intake of two significant forms of PFAS, PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), is 20 nanograms per 1 kilogram of body weight for each substance.
Currently, the government has imposed a provisional cap of 50 nanograms per liter for tap water and rivers for these two chemicals. The Environment Ministry plans to discuss revising this cap based on the assessment and an ongoing nationwide survey on PFAS concentration in tap water.
A study conducted by the Environment Ministry for fiscal year 2022, covering rivers and groundwater in 38 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, revealed that 16 prefectures had cases where PFAS concentrations exceeded the government threshold.
