Unidentified foam near U.S. military bases in Okinawa raises PFAS concerns

GINOWAN, OKINAWA PREF. –

Residents of Okinawa Prefecture are increasingly concerned over the appearance of mysterious white foam from maintenance holes near U.S. military facilities in the prefecture.

A civic group has asked the U.S. military to agree to conduct on-site investigations of U.S. bases for possible leaks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — organic fluorine compounds suspected of damaging human health.

But the military has refused to accede to the request. The source of the foam remains unknown.