WBCS.LIVE practice question

'Minamata disease' is a neurological syndrome caused by the severe poisoning of which heavy metal?

Solve this multiple-choice question and check the correct answer with its explanation below.

Answer options

  1. Lead
  2. Cadmium
  3. Mercury
  4. Arsenic

Correct answer and explanation

Correct answer: Mercury

Explanation: āœ… Correct Answer: C) Mercury šŸ“š Explanation: Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata City, Japan, in 1956, caused by the release of methylmercury in industrial wastewater. The chemical accumulated in fish and shellfish, which were then consumed by the local population. Symptoms include numbness in the limbs, muscle weakness, damage to hearing and speech, and in extreme cases, insanity or death.