Japan will order all water suppliers nationwide to take steps to counter the spread of ※forever chemicals§ that have been found in drinking water by next spring, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of over 10,000 fluorinated chemicals that have been used worldwide since the 1940s. Recent studies suggest the chemicals are carcinogenic and carry other health risks.

※It is important to reduce the health risks of PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA through drinking water,§ Ishiba told an Upper House session, referring to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid.

※While listening to the opinions of experts, we will compile the direction of countermeasures by next spring, including upgrading water quality standards based on the Water Supply Act, which requires new compliance, inspection and public disclosure for water supply companies.§

Known for their heat, water and oil-resistant properties, PFAS have been used for everything from carpets and fire extinguishers to cookware and cosmetics. They are now widely detected in humans and animals.

Japan currently has a provisional limit of 50 nanograms per liter of tap water for the combined total of PFOS and PFOA, but the policy is not legally binding.

Last week, the Environment Ministry released the results of a survey on PFAS levels found in drinking water across Japan as of Sept. 30. Of the 3,755 water suppliers surveyed, 3,595 responded.

The results showed that PFAS levels in drinking water from 11 suppliers exceeded the limit in fiscal 2020. This number dropped to five in fiscal 2021, four in fiscal 2022 and three in fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2024 up to the date of the survey, drinking water from none of the suppliers exceeded the PFAS limit.

Concern is growing among an increasing number of residents over whether the government is not doing enough to address the issue and the potential health hazards that could emerge as a result of constant exposure to the chemicals.

On Nov. 25, the town of Kibichuo, Okayama Prefecture, started blood tests for residents after extremely high levels of PFAS chemicals 〞 1,200 ng/l 〞 were detected at a local water purification plant in October 2023. The plant supplies water to around 1,000 residents.

The ongoing test is the first publicly funded one in Japan. It involves measuring PFAS blood concentrations, as well as tests for lipid levels, liver function, anemia and thyroid hormones. The results will be analyzed by experts at Okayama University and Kawasaki Medical School, according to the town office.