Press Release
February 15, 2006
The Ministry of the Environment compiled the data on the status of confirmed illegal dumping and improper storage (hereinafter referred to as "the improper disposal") of sulfate pitch*1 for the first half of FY2005 (from April 1 to September 30, 2005), with the cooperation of prefectural governments and cities with public health centers.
There were 13 confirmed cases of improper disposal of sulfate pitch during the period, with a total amount of 1,127 barrels (quantity converted into metal barrels). Both the number and the quantity decreased from the 19 cases and 1,511 barrels, respectively, recorded in the second half of FY2004 (from October 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005). The number of improper disposal cases has been declining each fiscal year since the first half of FY2004 and quantity since the first half of FY2003. (Table 1)
The breakdown of improper disposal confirmed during the first half of FY2005 was as follows: (i) of the number of cases; illegal dumping 23%, improper storage 69%, and improper transportation 8%; and (ii) of quantity; illegal dumping 9%, improper storage 89%, and improper transportation 2%.
The breakdown of perpetrators of improper disposal cases confirmed during the first half of FY2005 was as follows: (i) of the number of cases; both the businesses that generate sulfate pitch (hereinafter referred to as "the sulfate pitch generators") and unknown operators each recorded 31% respectively, and collection/transportation operators (including non-authorized operators) 15%; (ii) of quantity; sulfate pitch generators accounted for 59 %, and warehouse operators (including land owners) 20%. (Table 2)
Among the improper disposal cases confirmed by the end of the first half of FY2005 since FY1999, 74% were fully treated, 9% were partially treated, and 17% were not treated at all. Of quantity, 76% was fully treated and 24% was not treated. (Fig. 1)
The parties undertaking the treatment of improperly disposed sulfate pitch mentioned in 4 above were as follows: 26% of the cases were done by the sulfate pitch generators, and 23 % by local municipalities (administrative subrogation). In terms of quantity, on the contrary, administrative subrogation by local municipalities was the highest, at 29%, and 19 % by the sulfate pitch generators. (Table 3)
Among the improper disposal cases (241 cases, 62,998 barrels) confirmed the by the end of the first half of FY2005 since 1999, orders for action were issued to 66 cases. Among these 66 cases, administrative subrogation was conducted for 50 cases (19,252 barrels).
