Question

Match column I with column II and select the correct option from the given codes.

	Column I		Column II
A	Mercury	(i)	Methaemoglobinemia (or Blue baby syndrome)
B	Nitrate	(ii)	Black foot disease
C	Arsenic	(iii)	Itai-Itai disease
D	Cadmium	(iv)	Minamata disease

• A. A-(iv), B-(i), C-(ii), D-(iii)
• B. A-(iv), B-(i), C-(iii), D-(ii)
• C. A-(ii), B-(iii), C-(i), D-(iv)
• D. A-(ii), B-(iv), C-(i), D-(iii)

Answer 1

The correct option is A A-(iv), B-(i), C-(ii), D-(iii)

Column I	Column II
A. Mercury	Mercury poisoning is a type of metal poisoning due to exposure to mercury. Symptoms depend upon the type, dose, method, and duration of exposure. They may include muscle weakness, poor coordination, numbness in the hands and feet, skin rashes, anxiety, memory problems, trouble speaking, trouble hearing, or trouble seeing. High level exposure to methylmercury is known as Minamata disease. Methylmercury exposure in children may result in acrodynia (pink disease) in which the skin becomes pink and peels.[2] Long-term complications may include kidney problems and decreased intelligence. The effects of long-term low-dose exposure to methylmercury are unclear. So the correct option is 'minamata disease'.
B. Nitrate	The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of nitrate as nitrogen (NO3-N) at 10 mg/L (or 10 parts per million) for the safety of drinking water. Nitrate levels at or above this level have been known to cause a potentially fatal blood disorder in infants under six months of age called methemoglobinemia or "blue-baby" syndrome; in which there is a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. The symptoms of blue-baby syndrome can be subtle and often confused with other illnesses. An infant with mild to moderate blue-baby syndrome may have diarrhea, vomiting, and/or be lethargic. In more serious cases, infants will start to show obvious symptoms of cyanosis: the skin, lips or nail beds may develop a slate-gray or bluish color and the infant could have trouble breathing. So the correct option is 'methemoglobinemia (baby blue syndrome)'.
C. Arsenic	Drinking water rich in arsenic over a long period leads to arsenic poisoning or arsenicosis. Many waters contain some arsenic and excessive concentrations are known to naturally occur in some areas. The health effects are generally delayed and the most effective preventive measure is supply of drinking water low in arsenic concentration.In China (Province of Taiwan) exposure to arsenic via drinking-water has been shown to cause a severe disease of the blood vessels, which leads to gangrene, known as ‘black foot disease’. This disease has not been observed in other parts of the world, and it is possible that malnutrition contributes to its development. So the correct option is 'black foot disease'.
D. Cadmium	Itai-itai disease was the name given to the mass cadmium poisoning of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, starting around 1912. The term "itai-itai disease" was coined by locals for the severe pains people with the condition felt in the spine and joints. Cadmium poisoning can also cause softening of the bones and kidney failure. The cadmium was released into rivers by mining companies in the mountains, which were successfully sued for the damage. Itai-itai disease is known as one of the Four Big Pollution Diseases of Japan. So the correct option is 'itai-itai disease'