What heavy metal caused Minimata disease?
Minimata disease, caused by ingestion of methylmercury, occurred in Minimata City in Japan, where inhabitants ingested fish and shellfish contaminated by environmental waste water from a chemical plant. Typical symptoms are primarily neurologic, including sensory and auditory disturbances, tremor, and ataxia.
Harada M. Minamata disease: methylmercury poisoning in Japan caused by environmental pollution. Crit Rev Toxicol. 1995;25(1):1-24. doi: 10.3109/10408449509089885. PMID: 7734058. https://bit.ly/357T77k
Submitted by: Abigail Sharpe, PharmD on behalf of the Acute and Intensive Care Section
Posted in Question Of The Day