Minamata Disease

Minamata Disease is a severe neurological disorder caused by exposure to toxic mercury compounds, specifically methylmercury. It originated in Minamata, Japan, where industrial wastewater contaminated the bay, entering the local seafood supply. When people consumed contaminated fish and shellfish, mercury accumulated in their bodies, damaging the nervous system. Symptoms include numbness, tremors, vision and hearing loss, and in severe cases, paralysis and death. The disease highlights the dangers of environmental pollution and the importance of regulating industrial waste to protect public health and ecosystems.