Illegal dumping at final disposal sites in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture and Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture - January 2000

Illegal dumping at final disposal sites in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture and Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture - January 2000

Illegal dumping of industrial waste is a serious environmental problem in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture and Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. In Ishinomaki City, more than 5,000 tons of construction waste containing plastic and asbestos are dumped annually in excess of the disposal site's allowable amount, causing groundwater contamination and health problems for residents. Miyagi Prefecture has invested 100 million yen to investigate soil and groundwater contamination around the disposal site. In Morioka City, it was confirmed that demolition companies are illegally dumping industrial waste containing dioxins and PCBs, with approximately 2,000 tons illegally disposed of, some of which has also leaked into coastal areas.