Soil and Groundwater Pollution Countermeasures
The Furukawa Electric Group conducts strong risk management recognizing that soil and groundwater pollution are vital health and safety concerns for local residents and employees.
We promptly disclose the discovery of any soil or groundwater pollution and take action. Every effort is made to secure the health and safety of local residents. We report to local authorities on the status of any pollution and actions to prevent its spread, and we release information to local residents, related organizations and the media as necessary. We implement a range of actions to protect the local environment from soil or groundwater pollution, including regularly inspecting for leakages of specific harmful substances, preventing leakages and using alternative substances.
In fiscal 2008, we conducted remedial work on land we own in the Yokohama area, developed a slag treatment plan for the Oyama area (a plant site of the former Furukawa Magnesium Co., Ltd.) and began examining slag deposit volume and ground pollution. Remedial work for removing affiliate Kyowa Electric Wire's former Osaka Plant from the list of contaminated areas under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law and soil and groundwater countermeasures at the Ibaraki Plant owned by Aoyama Kinsho Co., Ltd. are also underway.
PCB Management
The number of instruments containing PCB is monitored at each works and business base of affiliated companies to facilitate effective storage and management operations. We will commission processing on an ongoing basis once the Japan Environmental Safety Corporation has started PCB waste processing operations.
Condensers and transformers removed due to the scrapping of buildings or renovation of facilities are examined for PCB content on a case-by-case basis. In fiscal 2008, the number of instruments containing low levels of PCB under storage increased. Regulatory authorities were notified and appropriate storage established.
| Works | In storage | In use | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiba Works | Already processed | 88 | 0 | 88 |
| Unprocessed | 11 | 0 | 11 | |
| Nikko Works | 354 | 0 | 354 | |
| Hiratsuka Works | 868 | 7 | 875 | |
| Mie Works | 129 | 3 | 132 | |
| Osaka Works | 66 | 0 | 66 | |
| Yokohama Works | 18 | 0 | 18 | |
| Total | 1,534 | 10 | 1,544 | |
Effort to Prevent Atmospheric and Wastewater Pollution
Every Furukawa Electric works maintains voluntary control limits and manages operations to avoid exceeding regulatory limits for atmospheric and wastewater quality.
In fiscal 2008, suspended solids (SS) temporarily exceeded regulatory limits at Chiba Works due to an inflow of muddy water from torrential rainfall. The situation, which was reported to the regulatory authorities, has since returned to normal. Otherwise, all works controlled atmospheric and wastewater quality within regulatory limits.
| Measured item | Chiba Works | Nikko Works | Mie Works | Osaka Works | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric data | NOx, SOx, dust |  |
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| Wastewater quality data | pH, BOD, n-h (mineral oil) | |
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| SS |  (Note 1) |
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(Note 1) While data falls within regulatory limits, temporary excesses did occur due to the effects of torrential rainfall.Back to Main Content
Response to Asbestos Concerns
Use of Asbestos in Products
Although we no longer manufacture or import products containing asbestos, we have previously done so for industrial use. Relevant products include electric wires for use on ships and fire prevention products for electric wire installation for telecommunications and electricity. Full details are featured on our website.
Use of Asbestos in Buildings and Plant Facilities
Plants and buildings
A fiscal 2005 investigation to ascertain the extent to which asbestos spray materials discovered in one building and a part of one plant on Company-owned properties may have dispersed confirmed the asbestos was stable. Given the risk of future dispersal, however, we removed or contained the materials at our plant buildings in fiscal 2006.
Facilities and equipment
Insofar as possible, all asbestos subject to dispersal has been removed and replaced with viable alternatives. Where asbestos is embedded in insulation or other materials and not dispersed, we will later install non-asbestos containing materials during scheduled inspections.
Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations and Other Compliance Requirements
We check environmental laws and regulations and any other compliance requirements on a regular basis and make every effort to ensure compliance, including patrolling our sites to confirm that measures are being properly implemented.
We monitor the latest information via the Official Gazette and other sources to keep track of revisions to environmental laws and regulations and ensure that we have taken all possible measures.