The expert panel of the Tokyo metropolitan government suggested on the measures against the pollution at Toyosu The Tokyo Shunbun The Tokyo Government expert panel (Chairman: Wakayama University professor Tatemasa Hirata) that is studying the soil contamination of the Toyosu site (Koto Ward), at which the Tsukiji site is planned to move, suggested plans to underground impervious walls to control the groundwater strictly and build the new site above it. The main purpose of the walls is to prevent the groundwater to pollute the newly replaced soil again. The final suggestion will be concluded by the end of July, this year. Pollution investigations of the soil and groundwater were made at approximately 4,100 spots of the planned site. The soil was found polluted higher than the environmental safety standards at 0.8% spots for benzene and 2.2% spots for cyanogens. The groundwater was found polluted at 13.6% spots for benzene and 23.4% spots for cyanogens. The panel suggests replacing the soil to a depth of 2-meters and widening the range of the soil that clears the environmental safety standards. In addition, they suggest on an attempt to control the groundwater. Their plan is to purify the groundwater to a level that clears the environmental safety standards and shield around the underneath of the site and the buildings with impervious walls. They will cover over the top above the groundwater with a barrier of crushed rock so that the groundwater wouldn't rise. They will make watch wells to check the level and the quality of the groundwater. They will continue to work on other measures such as pumping up the groundwater, purifying it and dumping it to the sewers in case of big rainfalls. Despite all of the measures, possibilities cannot be denied for vaporized benzene and cyanogens to climb up the cracks of the ground, but the level would be minor and harmless, concluded the panel. (June. 1, 2008)

What I think about the measures above Naoto Nakamura Although minor, the possibilities of vaporized benzene and cyanogens to climb up from the cracks will spoil the name of Tsukiji. And the word, 'strictly,' in, "...to control the groundwater strictly..." is the question. That is a word that you use a lot when you don't have certain solutions. When I used to be a businessman, I also used the word a lot in claim managements. For example, I used it like, "We will observe strictly, washing hands," or "We will manage with strict temperature control." Could people be so strict, always? (June 21, 2008)

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