Jinkanpo Atsugi Incinerator

The Jinkanpo Atsugi Incinerator, (also known as the Shinkanpo Incineration Complex and Enviro-Tech) was a waste incinerator located in Ayase, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It began operation in 1980's and was closed in 2001. The incinerator was near Naval Air Facility Atsugi (NAF Atsugi), a base manned partly by several thousand United States Navy members and their families. Throughout its history, the incinerator reportedly blew toxic and cancerous emissions over the high-rise base dwellings in its immediate vicinity. The incinerator's owners, arrested and jailed for charges of tax evasion, neglected the maintenance of the facility. The pollution had become so much of a health concern for the American residents that if they showed signs of adverse health effects, the U.S. military authorities allowed them to leave early (usually servicemembers are stationed at the base for a tour of three years). Many U.S. servicemembers reported sickness and a few died from cancer shortly after moving back to the United States; however, there is no established connection between their exposure and their disease. For a time, the base required servicemembers to undergo medical screenings before being stationed at the base in order to ensure that they had no medical condition that would be worsened by the poor air quality.

In May 2001 the Japanese government purchased the plant for nearly 40 million dollars and shut it down. After the U.S. government, specifically the Department of Justice brought suit against the private incinerator owner in Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Dismantling was completed by the end of that year. Some former residents of Atsugi NAS still complain of health problems related to the incinerator's emissions and report that the USN has been reluctant to address their concerns. The incinerator contaminated the base, especially the housing area with DIOXIN, Heavy Metals and other deadly toxins. In June, 2007, the USN's Environmental Health Center announced that it would conduct a study of the health population of those stationed at NAF Atsugi during the time the incinerator was in operation.

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Notes

Web

*cite web
url = http://www.atsugi-incinerator-group.com
title = Documented Toxic Exposure from the Jinkanpo/Shinkampo Incinerator
Posted = February 6, 2008
Name = USMC Wife
*cite web
url = http://www-nmcphc.med.navy.mil/atsugi/atsugi.htm
title = Naval Air Facility Atsugi Japan Shinkampo Incinerator Complex Health Information – Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
Posted = August 10. 2008
Name = USMC Wife
*cite web
url = https://portal.navfac.navy.mil/portal/page/portal/navfac/navfac_ww_pp/navfac_nfesc_pp/tab92955:tab5911334
title = Naval Facilities Engineering Command NFESCA - Atsugi
Posted = August 10, 2008
Name = USMC Wife
*cite web
last = Commission on Life Sciences
first = National Research Council
authorlink =
date = 2001
url = http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10053&page=R1
title = Review of the US Navy's Human Health Risk Assessment of the Naval Air Facility at Atsugi, Japan
work = National Academy Press
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Hesse
first = Stephen
authorlink =
date = July 17, 2000
url = http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fe20000717sh.html
title = Dioxin found deadly for sure -- and they're pumping it out
work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Hesse
first = Stephen
authorlink =
date = February 12, 2001
url = http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fe20010212sh.html
title = U.S. sues Atsugi incinerator operator
work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Hesse
first = Stephen
authorlink =
date = February 26, 2001
url = http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fe20010226sh.html
title = Incineration as usual in Kanagawa, despite suit
work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Hesse
first = Stephen
authorlink =
date = March 11, 2001
url = http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fe20010311sh.html
title = Japanese neighbors join in incinerator struggle
work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Hesse
first = Stephen
authorlink =
date = June 27, 2007
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title = Is this a poisons coverup?
work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Japan Times
first = The
authorlink = The Japan Times
date = March 11, 2000
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work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Japan Times
first = The
authorlink = The Japan Times
date = March 16, 2000
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work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Japan Times
first = The
authorlink = The Japan Times
date = March 17, 2000
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title = U.S. to give back Kadena base radar
work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Japan Times
first = The
authorlink = The Japan Times
date = March 28, 2000
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work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Japan Times
first = The
authorlink = The Japan Times
date = April 20, 2000
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title = Dioxin in air over U.S. base 35 times standard
work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Japan Times
first = The
authorlink = The Japan Times
date = May 21, 2000
url = http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20000521a6.html
title = Dioxin contamination worst at Atsugi base, survey finds
work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Japan Times
first = The
authorlink = The Japan Times
date = April 21, 2001
url = http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20010421b1.html
title = Compensation deal reached with incinerator firm
work = The Japan Times
accessdate = 2007-06-28
*cite web
last = Kozaryn
first = Linda D.
authorlink =
date = March 28, 2000
url = http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2000/03/28.htm
title = U.S., Japan agree to fight health hazard near NAF Atsugi
work = American Forces Press Service
accessdate = 2007-06-28