2013 Volume 24 Issue 2 Pages 144-152
With regard to suspension of water intake in the Tone River System due to formaldehyde contamination in May 2012, it is presumed that contained in Industrial Waste the causative agent hexamethylenetetramine are not being fully treated by industrial waste processing industries discharging into public water areas where formaldehyde is being generated through chlorine treatment at water purification plants. The Ministry of the Environment has established an Investigative Commission on Future Measures regarding the Suspension of Water Intake in the Tone River System, which conducted studies from June to August 2012 and presented its Interim Report in August. Along with adding hexamethylenetetramine as a substance designated under the Water Pollution Control Act, the report also informed local governments regarding points of concern for industries dealing with industrial waste containing hexamethylenetetramine. There are currently future plans to take forward discussions on the management of emissions being discharged into public water works, including materials other than hexamethylenetetramine, as well as investigations into the most viable methods of treatment for industrial wastes.
