Question

Minamata disease was caused due to the consumption of:

• A. Sea food containing lots of cadmium
• B. Fish contaminated with mercury
• C. Oysters with lots of pesticides
• D. Sea food contaminated with selenium

Answer 1

The correct option is B Fish contaminated with mercury

Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata City, Japan in 1956. It was caused by the release of methyl mercury into the industrial wastewater from the Chisso Corporation chemical factory, which continued from 1932 to 1968. This highly toxic chemical bioaccumulated in shellfish and fish in the Minamata Bay and the Shiranui Sea, which when eaten by the local populace resulted in mercury poisoning.