To protect employees from exposure to chemical substances and prevent health hazards, Chugai has established voluntary rules for chemical substance management and provides suitable work environments based on the results of risk assessments of the substances handled and the type of work. After protective equipment is selected, operations and procedures are determined.
We also improved systems throughout the Chugai Group for risk assessment of exposure to all substances handled, in addition to restricted substances,^*1 and are working to reduce the risk of occupational injuries from these substances.
By providing information in the form of safety data sheets (SDSs) and emergency contact cards (“yellow cards”), we also work to ensure safety at our contract manufacturers and other outside parties.

The amount of chemical substances handled in the April 2019-March 2020 period covered by the PRTR law^*2 is as shown on the graph. The handled amount of chemical substances covered by the PRTR law increased by 49.7 tons from the previous year (April 2018-March 2019) to 234.1 tons. Ferric chloride made up 80% of that increase. Ferric chloride made up 83 percent of that increase and has been used since 2015 to treat wastewater generated at our biological API manufacturing facility.

• *1 In accordance with the Industrial Safety and Health Act revised on June 25, 2014, implementing risk assessments for chemical substances (640 items) became obligatory upon enactment of the revision on June 1, 2016. With subsequent revisions, as of July 1, 2018, 673 substances are subject to assessment.
• *2 The Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Law Handled Amounts of Chemical Substances Covered by PRTR Law

Based on the Air Pollution Control Act and various prefectural ordinances, the Chugai Group measures emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulates, verifying compliance with emissions standards before releasing them.

NOx emissions increased by two tons over 2019 levels. Although, figures for air pollutants emitted at each site are trending significantly below prescribed environmental limits. Since the second half of 2014, Chugai has been implementing the conversion of the main fuel in heat source equipment from fuel oil to city gas. This was reflected in a significant decrease in SOx emissions, a figure which we continue to maintain.

NOx emissions

For fiscal 2018, the oxygen concentration conversion value was mistakenly used in the calculation of NOx emissions. This has been recalculated using the measured value and revised the figure.
2018: Error) 57 tons → Correction) 33 tons

SOx and Dust Emissions

For fiscal 2018, the oxygen concentration conversion value was mistakenly used in the calculation of SOx emissions. This has been recalculated using the measured value and revised the figure.
2018: Error) 1.1 tons → Correction) 1.2 tons

Based on the Soil Pollution Control Act and various prefectural ordinances, the Chugai Group conducts appropriate soil surveys in compliance with the law.
In the event that soil pollution were to be found, we would discuss the issue with the authorities, and take appropriate steps to contain it and clean it up.

Chugai has set a mid-term environmental goal beginning in 2021 for establishing manufacturing processes, through commercial production, that do not use compounds listed in the SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) candidate list under REACH regulation for all Chugai original candidate molecules, advancing efforts to reduce the use of chemical substances.

The amount of specially controlled industrial waste generated in 2020 was 815 tons. Through appropriate management and treatment as a matter of course, we continue to advance efforts to reach our mid-term environmental goals of reducing this waste by 5% in 2025 and 10% in 2030.

From the standpoint of protecting biodiversity, in 2013 the Chugai Group began conducting WET tests^*3 to verify the impact on local ecosystems of wastewater discharge from our plants and research laboratories, not only to fulfill regulatory wastewater standards, but to gain a comprehensive understanding and assess the impact of chemical substances contained in that wastewater. In 2019, we again conducted a once-yearly WET test at all of our plants and research laboratories, and confirmed that no problems were found.
In addition, with the cooperation of a local NPO, in 2020 we continued to engage in maintaining the forests of Kawane Honcho (Shizuoka Prefecture), the watershed for the Fujieda Plant, as part of activities to preserve production site water sources begun in 2019. We not only hope to minimize the impact our production activities have on the global environment, but contribute to preserving the abundant water resources that we share with residents living near these watersheds. As part of its business practices, Chugai will continue to use water carefully, returning it to nature in pristine condition and engaging in activities to maintain the forests that nurture more water.

See Contribution to Global Environmental Protection - Efforts to protect water resources through forest maintenance at our production site - for details

• *3 Whole effluent toxicity test: A method for comprehensive evaluation of the safety of wastewater and the aquatic environment by determining the impact on crustaceans (Daphnia), algae and fish (Oryzias latipes and others) immersed in diluted wastewater