
Yomiuri: Tokyo ward used toxic land for playground
The government of Adachi Ward, Tokyo, purchased land where hazardous substances had been detected, but made it available to the public as a playground for nine years without taking any decontamination measures...According to sources, a chemical company previously had submitted to the municipality the results of soil studies on the site where its factory stood, but officials in charge of the matter at the time failed to inform their successors. As a result, no measures were taken to clean up the contaminated site...Until recently, the site was used as a public playground where kindergartners played and students did soccer practice...more...