What did the Japanese government do about Minamata disease?

What did the Japanese government do about Minamata disease?

As the number of victims continued to increase, the Japanese Government adopted a certification process whereby people were officially certified as suffering from Minamata disease based on a characteristic combination of symptoms.

What company was responsible for Minamata disease?

Minamata disease was first discovered in the city of Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, in 1956. It was caused by the release of methylmercury in the industrial wastewater from a chemical factory owned by the Chisso Corporation, which continued from 1932 to 1968.

How did the Minamata disease affect the economy?

In Minamata City, major industrial activities except agriculture have been depressed since the official discovery of Minamata Disease, The growth in the fish catch, commercial sales, and industrial production has become poor compared with those of the entire prefecture .

What is the reason behind Minamata disease?

Minamata disease is a methylmercury poisoning with neurological symptoms and caused by the daily consump- tion of large quantities of fish and shellfish that were heavily contaminated with the toxic chemical generated in chemical factories and then discharged into the sea.

Is Minamata disease curable?

However, a fundamental cure for Minamata disease has not yet been found. The main treatments involve the temporary relief of symptoms (symptomatic therapy), and rehabilitation (physiotherapy and occupational therapy).

How do you control Minamata disease?

Minamata disease can be prevented by reducing or eliminating one’s consumption of fish caught from bodies of water that are contaminated with high concentrations of mercury.

What happened Minamata Bay?

Minamata disease Minamata Bay was heavily polluted in the 1950s and 1960s by wastewater, mixed with mercury dumped into Hyakken Harbour from the Chisso Corporation’s factory in Minamata, particularly by methylmercury.

What is the treatment of Minamata disease?

The most important aspect of treatment is the removal of mercury from the body using chelating agents. Chelating agents prevent heavy metals like mercury from binding with body tissue, by reacting with and binding with it themselves.

What can we learn from Minamata disease?

The citizens of Minamata have learned that water and food are essential to life, and therefore invaluable, and that household and industrial waste should not be allowed to destroy the environment. Mass production, mass consumption, and mass waste make our lives more convenient and prosperous.

How is Minamata disease treated?

Is Minamata Bay safe now?

Four decades after horrible cases of mercury poisoning made Minamata Bay synonymous with environmental catastrophe, the regional government today declared the fish in the bay to be safe to eat. ”The danger of Minamata disease occurring again is gone,” Mr. Fukushima said.

How is Minamata disease prevented?

What was the impact of Minamata disease on Japan?

In the case of Minamata Disease, however, the initial delay of the introduction of appropriate measures led to a further spread of the damage.

How much money has been paid for Minamata disease?

Through this system, 2,955 persons have been certified as Minamata Disease patients in the Yatsushiro Sea area and the Agano River basin, and a total of approximately 144.1 billion yen has been paid as compensation from the responsible companies (As of March, 2001).

How much did Japan pay for the Minamata disaster?

On October 16, 2004, the Supreme Court of Japan ordered the government to pay 71.5 million yen ($703,000) in damages to the Minamata disease victims. The Environment Minister bowed in apology to the plaintiffs.

Who are the victims of the Minamata disaster?

Researchers believe, however, that the criteria the government uses to diagnose Minamata disease are too strict, and that anyone showing any level of sensory impairment should be considered a victim. To date, Chisso has financially compensated over 10,000 people and continues to be involved in suits regarding the matter.

What did the Japanese government do about Minamata disease? As the number of victims continued to increase, the Japanese Government adopted a certification process whereby people were officially certified as suffering from Minamata disease based on a characteristic combination of symptoms. What company was responsible for Minamata disease? Minamata disease was first discovered in the…