5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[HTT17-P04] Visualization of risk information in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A consideration for understanding spatial regularity and spatial correlation
Keywords:Chemical contamination, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, Geographical information, Pollution hazard map
Recent technological advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things have facilitated new developments in mapping by enabling the processing spatial big data and integration of innovative sensing technologies. In particular, maps related to disaster prevention, medical care, welfare, and the environmental monitoring are increasingly expected to serve as essential decision-making support as crisis management maps.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), the focus of this study is a group of over 12,000 synthetic compounds characterized by high fluorine content. As of 2025, Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) are listed as persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention. In Japan, water quality testing will become mandatory in April 2026. PFASs have been reported to cause significant environmental contamination, including soil pollution and river and groundwater contamination, due to their high environmental persistence. Long-term exposure has been linked to severe high risks, such as kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and reproductive and developmental disorders. Given the complexity of contamination sources and environmental factors, region-specific knowledge is essential in developing effective risk management strategies. In this presentation, we will discuss the current status and issues of risk information dissemination of PFASs compared to other countries.
In Europe and the United States, efforts are underway to develop and publish interactive pollution hazard maps for PFASs. Key examples include the Forever Pollution Project led by Le Monde in France, as well as initiatives by the United States Geological Survey and the United States Environmental Working Group. These WebGIS-based dashboard maps allow users to visualize the spatial distribution of pollution sources and PFAS detection levels.
In Japan, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation and the Ministry of the Environment are promoting the use of maps for information dissemination. However, there are few maps that enable confirmation of spatial distribution and spatial regularity compared to examples in Western countries. One of the reasons for this is that there are few survey results on the locations of alleged pollution sources, soil contamination, and water pollution, but there may also be differences in national policies toward the disclosure of information. The websites of local governments and waterworks corporations provide water quality test results and water supply area maps as social infrastructure, their potential for broader application remains underutilized. Additionally, similar to disease maps used for tracking infectious outbreaks, pollution hazard maps raise concerns regarding potential human rights violations for landowners and residents in affected areas. Therefore, careful consideration is necessarily to ensure that visualization strategies align with the intended purpose and stakeholder interests.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), the focus of this study is a group of over 12,000 synthetic compounds characterized by high fluorine content. As of 2025, Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) are listed as persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention. In Japan, water quality testing will become mandatory in April 2026. PFASs have been reported to cause significant environmental contamination, including soil pollution and river and groundwater contamination, due to their high environmental persistence. Long-term exposure has been linked to severe high risks, such as kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and reproductive and developmental disorders. Given the complexity of contamination sources and environmental factors, region-specific knowledge is essential in developing effective risk management strategies. In this presentation, we will discuss the current status and issues of risk information dissemination of PFASs compared to other countries.
In Europe and the United States, efforts are underway to develop and publish interactive pollution hazard maps for PFASs. Key examples include the Forever Pollution Project led by Le Monde in France, as well as initiatives by the United States Geological Survey and the United States Environmental Working Group. These WebGIS-based dashboard maps allow users to visualize the spatial distribution of pollution sources and PFAS detection levels.
In Japan, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation and the Ministry of the Environment are promoting the use of maps for information dissemination. However, there are few maps that enable confirmation of spatial distribution and spatial regularity compared to examples in Western countries. One of the reasons for this is that there are few survey results on the locations of alleged pollution sources, soil contamination, and water pollution, but there may also be differences in national policies toward the disclosure of information. The websites of local governments and waterworks corporations provide water quality test results and water supply area maps as social infrastructure, their potential for broader application remains underutilized. Additionally, similar to disease maps used for tracking infectious outbreaks, pollution hazard maps raise concerns regarding potential human rights violations for landowners and residents in affected areas. Therefore, careful consideration is necessarily to ensure that visualization strategies align with the intended purpose and stakeholder interests.