Minamata disease (M. d.) is methylmercury (MeHg) poisoning that occurred in humans who ingested fish and shellfish contaminated by MeHg discharged in waste water from a chemical plant (Chisso Co.
When did the Minamata disease start?
On May 1, 1956 , a doctor in Japan reported an “epidemic of an unknown disease of the central nervous system,” marking the official discovery of Minamata disease.
Why did Minamata disease happen?
Minamata disease is a methylmercury poisoning with neurological symptoms and caused by the daily consump- tion of large quantities of fish and shellfish that were heavily contaminated with the toxic chemical generated in chemical factories and then discharged into the sea .
Who did the Minamata disease effect?
Minamata disease was a neurological syndrome described in humans, birds, and cats that were exposed to methylmercury-contaminated fish in the Minamata area of Japan in the 1960s.
How did Minamata stop?
Minamata disease can be prevented by reducing or eliminating one’s consumption of fish caught from bodies of water that are contaminated with high concentrations of mercury.
Is Minamata disease curable?
However, a fundamental cure for Minamata disease has not yet been found . The main treatments involve the temporary relief of symptoms (symptomatic therapy), and rehabilitation (physiotherapy and occupational therapy).
Is Minamata disease still around?
“Minamata Disease has been going on for 50 years, but it still hasn’t been resolved ,” said Takeko Kato, managing director of Hotto Hausu, a vocational aid center for victims in Minamata. “The country isn’t helping these people enough.” The disaster in Minamata Bay began in silence.
What is the treatment of Minamata disease?
The most important aspect of treatment is the removal of mercury from the body using chelating agents . Chelating agents prevent heavy metals like mercury from binding with body tissue, by reacting with and binding with it themselves.
What does Minamata mean?
: a toxic neuropathy caused by the ingestion of methylmercury compounds (as in contaminated seafood) and characterized by impairment of cerebral functions, constriction of the visual field, and progressive weakening of muscles.
What can you learn from Minamata disease incident?
The citizens of Minamata have learned that water and food are essential to life , and therefore invaluable, and that household and industrial waste should not be allowed to destroy the environment. Mass production, mass consumption, and mass waste make our lives more convenient and prosperous.
How many died from Minamata disease?
According to the Japanese government, 2,955 people contracted Minamata disease and 1,784 people have since died.
What was Minamata disease?
Minamata disease is a methylmercury poisoning with neurological symptoms and caused by the daily consump- tion of large quantities of fish and shellfish that were heavily contaminated with the toxic chemical generated in chemical factories and then discharged into the sea.
Which foods contain mercury?
- Swordfish. A predatory fish that inhabits several ocean zones, swordfish is one of the highest sources of mercury . ...
- Shark. ...
- Tilefish. ...
- King Mackerel. ...
- Bigeye Tuna. ...
- Marlin. ...
- Orange Roughy. ...
- Chilean Sea Bass.
What is dancing cat disease?
Minamata disease is a neurological disease caused by severe mercury poisoning. Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, in 1956. The animal effects were severe enough in cats that they came to be named as having “dancing cat fever.”
What is the treatment for mercury?
Treatment of acute mercury exposure generally consists of removal of the patient from further exposure followed by support of respiratory and cardiovascular function. There is no antidote for mercury , but chelation therapy is warranted in some cases.
Where did the Minamata disaster happen?
It is now 50 years since the most horrific mercury poisoning disaster the world has ever seen took place in Minamata, Japan . In May 1956, four patients from the city of Minamata on the west coast of the southern Japanese island of Kyushu were admitted to hospital with the same severe and baffling symptoms.
