Planned Tsukiji site has high benzene level

Benzene at more than 1,000 times the acceptable level has been detected in groundwater at the planned relocation site for the Tsukiji market, an expert panel of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said Saturday.

The panel, meeting at City Hall, urged more detailed examinations, making it likely that its recommendations on pollution measures for the site will be delayed from this fall to next year, members said.

The planned site for the new Tsukiji market, which will offer fish and other fresh foods, is in the Toyosu area of Koto Ward.

The panel plans to decide on details of the second examination at its next meeting Nov. 5.

The proposed site used to be home to a plant operated by Tokyo Gas Co.

Some fish wholesalers are against the relocation plan, saying the site is contaminated.

The metropolitan government plans to relocate the market in fiscal 2012 partly because of aging buildings at Tsukiji.

Toxic substances, including benzene and cyanogens, far above environmental quality standards have detected at the relocation site, which is about 2 km southeast of Tsukiji.

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