High PCB Levels in Mongooses: The US Must Make Past Use and Storage of PCBs Public

Research groups from Ehime University and Meio University have discovered high concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in mongooses found near two U.S. bases in Okinawa. Soil and water pollution caused by chemical substances and heavy metals from the U.S. bases have been identified time and again, but the recent test results showing a potential impact on wildlife are really shocking. It was reported that “there is a possibility that this could spread to other animals and the local residents.” Both Japanese and U.S. government officials should take this matter seriously and begin investigating the source of the pollution immediately.

In August and September of 2008, the research groups collected six mongooses in the area surrounding Futenma Air Base and a seventh near the Makiminato Service Area in Urasoe, most of which had been killed in traffic accidents. PCBs were detected in all seven mongooses.

The report showed that the concentration of a type of PCBs called mono-ortho PCBs was more than one order of magnitude higher than that of mongooses in other areas of Okinawa, and one to two orders of magnitude higher than that of animals such as cats and wild boars on the mainland. The research group pointed out, “There is a possibility that PCBs are leaking from transformers or condensers in the surrounding area.” We need to make the search for the source of this pollution our top priority.

I must point out that pollution by toxic substances like PCBs has been detected around U.S. military bases many times before. For example, transformers containing PCBs were disposed of at Kaneda Base in the 1960s and ‘70s — a fact that wasn’t made public until 1999.

At the end of November 1995, the Onna communication site was returned to Okinawa; in March of the following year, cadmium, mercury and PCBs were detected there. However, on the grounds of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, which exempts the U.S. military from any obligation to restore military sites to their original condition before returning them to Japan, the U.S. refused to deal with the mess. To this day those dangerous substances are still being stored in the Air Self-Defense Force Onna subbase.

In June of this year at a former U.S. military base site in Okinawa City, the detection of dioxins — the main component used to make defoliants — and PCBs on chemical barrels found under a soccer field were the cause of a lot of anxiety in Okinawa. In the midst of this, the issue with the mongooses only increases anxieties and brings about more suspicions regarding the environmental issues with U.S. military bases.

Taking into account the cases I have presented here, it is evident that the U.S. forces stationed in Okinawa need to disclose their records of past use and storage of PCBs. The Japanese government must also immediately set out to understand the actual state of things on the bases and firmly demand the release of information from the U.S.