PFAS levels in 80% of Okayama townsfolk exceed U.S. guidelines

By Kunio Ozawa | The Asahi Shimbun | February 4, 2025

Read the full article by Kunio Ozawa (The Asahi Shimbun)

"More than 80 percent of Kibi-Chuo residents tested for cancer-causing organic fluorine compounds in their blood had levels exceeding U.S. guidelines, according to town officials.

The Kibi-Chuo town government on Jan. 28 released the results of blood tests conducted on 709 residents between November and December after perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS, were detected in water from the town’s Enjo water purification plant.

The highest detected level was 743.1 nanograms per milliliter, with an average of 151.5 nanograms."