PFAS-contaminated water was stored in drums behind the Yokota Community Center in 2023 because the designated hazardous waste site was full, according to a Defense Department inspector general's audit. (Department of Defense)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A Defense Department inspector general’s audit faulted this U.S. airlift hub in western Tokyo for mishandling toxic substances, including chemicals from firefighting foam and electrical equipment, according to a recent report.
The audit cited discrepancies at Yokota involving improper storage of 250 gallons of water contaminated with PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — and the incorrect disposal of PCBs — polychlorinated biphenyls — found in oil from electrical transformers.
The issues were uncovered during a broader review of hazardous waste management by the DOD in Japan.
The units involved — the 374th Airlift Wing and 5th Air Force — have since addressed the discrepancies by submitting revised plans for proper handling of hazardous materials, according to the April 30 report.
“We will continue to adhere to all relevant agreements, obligations and procedures as good stewards of our installations and the environment through continued and close coordination with our Government of Japan counterparts as we work together towards sustainable solutions,” wing spokeswoman Capt. Emma Quirk told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday.
The PCBs were disposed of during construction of a steam-generating power plant near the Yokota Community Center, which houses the base exchange, commissary, food court, and other businesses.
The construction contract was awarded in November 2019 and the plant was completed by November 2023. A qualified Japanese contractor safely removed 26 barrels of insulating oil and oil residue from the transformers, according to the audit.
However, the wing failed to dispose of the oil through the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services, as mandated by the Japan Environmental Governing Standards. The wing did not obtain a necessary waiver due to time and budget constraints, the report said.
The PFAS incident stemmed from a fire-suppression system malfunction during cold weather on Jan 25-26, 2023. The contaminated water was stored in drums behind the community center because the designated hazardous waste site was full, and the wing lacked procedures for storing PFAS waste elsewhere, according to the report.
PFOS and PFOA, both components of PFAS, are sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they build up and persist in the environment and in human bodies, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The agency updated its health advisories in 2021 to say no level of PFOS and PFOA in drinking water is safe. Studies involving lab animals show exposure increases the risk of certain tumors of the liver, testicles, breasts and pancreas, according to the American Cancer Society.
While the DOD report found no leakage at the storage site, a July 10 report by Tokyo Shimbun, citing unnamed sources, said 167 gallons of PFAS-contaminated water spilled at the community center’s loading dock on Jan. 25, 2023.
The stored water was removed between February and March 2023, the audit said.
Separately, as the base phased out its remaining supply of PFAS-based firefighting foam, the wing deactivated fire-suppression systems in nine buildings. The inspector general criticized the move for leaving personnel vulnerable to fire and urged the base commander to implement a risk management plan.
“Officials from the 374th Airlift Wing explained that they planned to rely on base firefighting operations to respond at buildings where they shut off [aqueous film-film forming] fire suppression and water features,” the report said.
