MINAMATA DISEASE Meaning and
Definition
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Minamata disease is a neurological disorder caused by severe mercury poisoning. The term refers to a specific incident that occurred in the city of Minamata, located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, in the mid-20th century. The disease was first recognized in the early 1950s when numerous people in the area started experiencing symptoms such as numbness, muscle weakness, impaired vision, and coordination problems, leading to paralysis, convulsions, and eventually death.
The cause of Minamata disease was later found to be industrial wastewater contaminated with methylmercury, a highly toxic form of mercury, that was released into Minamata Bay by a chemical factory. Residents of Minamata and those who consumed contaminated seafood from the bay were exposed to high levels of mercury, leading to the onset of the disease. It was particularly devastating to fishermen and their families, who heavily relied on seafood as a major part of their diet.
Extensive research and investigations into the Minamata disease led to a better understanding of the harmful effects of mercury on the nervous system and the subsequent development of regulations and guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future. The tragedy also prompted international attention and the establishment of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013, which aims to protect human health and the environment from mercury exposure. Minamata disease remains a significant historical event, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of environmental pollution and the need for strict regulations to safeguard public health.
Common Misspellings for MINAMATA DISEASE
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Etymology of MINAMATA DISEASE
The word "Minamata Disease" is derived from the name of a city called Minamata, located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The disease itself was first identified and named in this area in the mid-20th century.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Minamata experienced a severe outbreak of a neurological disorder that affected the local population. The disease was caused by industrial pollution, specifically the release of methylmercury into the environment by a chemical company operating in Minamata.
The disease received its name "Minamata Disease" as a reference to its geographical origin, as it was primarily observed in and around the city of Minamata. The term "Minamata Disease" was officially recognized in 1956 following investigations, and it has since been used globally to describe this particular industrial poisoning-related neurological disorder.
Similar spelling word for MINAMATA DISEASE
