Question

What is the primary chemical responsible for Minamata disease in humans?

• A. Lead
• B. Mercury
• C. Arsenic
• D. Cadmium

Hint:

{Minamata disease} is caused by {methylmercury poisoning} due to consumption of contaminated seafood. Remember: {Minamata → Mercury pollution}.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Minamata disease is a severe neurological disorder caused by poisoning from methylmercury, an organic form of mercury. It occurs when humans consume fish or shellfish contaminated with mercury compounds released into water bodies. The disease was first discovered in 1956 in Minamata Bay, Japan, where industrial wastewater from a chemical factory discharged mercury into the sea. This mercury accumulated in aquatic organisms and entered the human food chain through biomagnification. Exposure to methylmercury damages the central nervous system, leading to serious health problems.
Step 1: Identifying the toxic chemical responsible.
The primary chemical responsible for Minamata disease is methylmercury, which is a highly toxic compound of mercury. It accumulates in fish and shellfish and enters the human body through consumption.
Step 2: Understanding the symptoms caused by mercury poisoning.
Some common symptoms of Minamata disease include:

• Loss of coordination
• Numbness in hands and feet
• Muscle weakness
• Vision and hearing impairment
• In severe cases, paralysis and death

Since the disease is caused by mercury contamination, the correct answer is Mercury.