Minamata disease first occurred in

Options

(a) Japan
(b) China
(c) Korea
(d) Russia

Correct Answer:

Japan

Explanation:

Mercury (mercuric chloride) enters into water naturally as well as through industrial effluents. It was responsible for minamata epidemic disease that caused several deaths in Japan and Sweden. This tragedy had occurred due to consumption of heavily mercury-contaminated fish by the villagers. Metallic mercury is not poisonous if taken by mouth because it is not absorbed but causes poisoning if finely divided and inhaled, or rubbed into skin. The disease is characterised by diarrhoea, haemolysis, impairment of various senses, numbness of lips, tongue, limbs, deafness, blurring of vision, mental dearrangement, meningites and death.