Public Health

Testing Dioxin Pollution In Atmosphere A National Effort In Japan

TOKYO, Mar 27 (Reuters) - A survey recently released by the Mainichi Shimbun
daily newspaper found that all the nation's 47 prefectural governments will
begin testing the level of dioxin pollution in the atmosphere starting in
April. Currently, 19 prefectures conduct dioxin tests.

National government tests of atmospheric dioxins began in 1986. In April,
the Environmental Agency plans to double the number of dioxin observation
points to 40, and local jurisdictions plan some 230 sites.

Last December, the national government revised the Air Pollution Law to
regulate dioxins for the first time.

by Sandra Katzman