Consider the following statements with reference to Effects of Water Pollution on Human Health: 1. Water contaminated with cadmium can cause itai-itai disease also called ouch-ouch disease. 2. Pollution of water bodies by mercury causes Minamata (neurological syndrome) disease in humans. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements with reference to Effects of Water Pollution on Human Health: 1. Water contaminated with cadmium can cause itai-itai disease also called ouch-ouch disease. 2. Pollution of water bodies by mercury causes Minamata (neurological syndrome) disease in humans. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Correct Answer Both 1 and 2

Key Points

  • Minamata disease, sometimes referred to as Chisso-Minamata disease, is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning.
  • It is methylmercury (MeHg) poisoning that occurred in humans who ingested fish and shellfish contaminated by MeHg discharged in wastewater.
  • Symptoms include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet, general muscle weakness, narrowing of the field of vision, and damage to hearing and speech.

Additional Information

  • Itai-Itai, which literally translates to ‘it hurts, it hurts’ is the name given to cadmium poisoning.
  • The disease Itai-Itai is caused by Cadmium.
  • This name was given to the disease by the locals of Toyama Prefecture of Japan in 1912.
  • This disease was recognized as the Four Big Pollution Diseases of Japan.
  • Cadmium is a naturally occurring toxic heavy metal.
  • It is an extremely toxic industrial and environmental pollutant classified as a human carcinogen.
  • It is used in the manufacturing of NiCd rechargeable batteries.

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