[Daikin's approach to PFOA ] 13 May 2024

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In 2006, Daikin’s affiliate joined the PFOA 2010/2015 Stewardship Program (a voluntary PFOA reduction program) with seven other major global fluorochemical companies, aiming to eliminate PFOA and related substances by 2015. Daikin discontinued manufacturing and using PFOA at the Yodogawa Plant in Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan by 2012, and across the Daikin group, including overseas, by 2015.

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Current water environment in Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

According to a release by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, a nationwide water quality survey has detected PFOA values exceeding the guideline value (provisional) in some groundwater and rivers in Japan. According to the information on the Settsu City website, as of May 7, 2024, the PFOA values of the city’s tap water are confirmed to be below the guideline value (provisional). On the other hand, according to a release from Osaka Prefecture, PFOA values exceeding the guideline value (provisional) were detected in the groundwater of Settsu City in a survey conducted in August 2022 by Osaka Prefecture.

Recognizing that Daikin’s products are one of the causes of the groundwater situation in Settsu City, Daikin has consulted with Osaka Prefecture and Settsu City and taken measures, such as groundwater pumping and purification, since 2009. In order to reduce PFOA concentrations in the future, Daikin believes it should continue to take measures such as pumping and purification of groundwater, in addition to the impermeable walls described below...