Minamata disease :mercury poisoning (1932 - 1968)
Minamata disease (水 俣 病, Minamata ), Sometimes referred to as Minamata disease, Chisso (チッソ 水俣病, Chisso-Minamata ), Is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. Symptoms include ataxia, numbness in hands and feet, muscle weakness, narrowing the field of vision and damage to hearing and speaking. In extreme cases, can lead to madness, paralysis, coma and death follow in a few weeks after the onset of symptoms. This disease can also affect the fetus in the womb.
Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan in 1956. This is caused by the release of methyl mercury in industrial waste water from the Chisso Corporation chemical plant, which operated from 1932 to 1968. This highly toxic waste water and stored in shellfish and fish in Minamata Bay and the Shiranui Sea, if eaten by local residents resulted in mercury poisoning.
In March 2001, 2265 victims have been officially recognized (1784 of whom have died) and over 10,000 have received financial compensation from Chisso. In 2004, Chisso Corporation has paid $ 86 million in compensation, within one year and ordered to clean up the contamination. Enforcement and the claim for compensation continues until this day.
Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan in 1956. This is caused by the release of methyl mercury in industrial waste water from the Chisso Corporation chemical plant, which operated from 1932 to 1968. This highly toxic waste water and stored in shellfish and fish in Minamata Bay and the Shiranui Sea, if eaten by local residents resulted in mercury poisoning.
In March 2001, 2265 victims have been officially recognized (1784 of whom have died) and over 10,000 have received financial compensation from Chisso. In 2004, Chisso Corporation has paid $ 86 million in compensation, within one year and ordered to clean up the contamination. Enforcement and the claim for compensation continues until this day.
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