Lecture on Methylmercury Poisoning in Minamata (MPM)

Abstract

This chapter outlines the methylmercury poisoning in Minamata (MPM): about the history, symptom pathogenesis, research on the causal agent, and responses of the national and local governments and the responsible company, i.e., Chisso, to the outbreak of MPM. A book written by Nishimura and Okamoto (2001) played an important role to clarify the mechanism of the MPM outbreak. Based on this book and the published data on mercury concentrations of aquatic organisms and newborns' umbilical cords, how methylmercury generated in the plant, flew into the sea, transferred to aquatic organisms, and was consumed by residents are explained. Victims of MPM, compensation and environmental restructure, and court ruling against this incident are described. Based on lecture notes from a university course, students' suggestions for avoiding a repeat of the tragedy are also introduced.

The Use of Different Image Recognition Techniques in Food Safety: A Study

“…e Agano River in Niigata Prefecture in Japan had a second outbreak in 1965. e symptoms include ataxia, sensory difficulties, visual field narrowing, and auditory and language impairments. e methyl mercury disposed of in landfills has been collected and poisoned in fish and crustaceans [10].…”

Tethered Silanoxymercuration of Allylic Alcohols

“…The family of organomercurials has earned an unfortunate reputation, largely due to the actions of a minority of its members. , Nevertheless, the majority of higher-order organomercurial compounds are crystalline, air-stable, and, when treated with appropriate respect, no more dangerous than most chemicals encountered in the organic laboratory . The C–Hg linkage is essentially covalent, making it a most unique and versatile organometallic bond. − Our laboratory is deeply invested in the field of tethered olefin functionalization reactions. − In such reactions, a nucleophilic auxiliary (the “tether”) is appended to an alcohol or amine and then cyclized onto a pendant alkene.…”

“…T he family of organomercurials has earned an unfortunate reputation, largely due to the actions of a minority of its members. 1,2 Nevertheless, the majority of higher-order organomercurial compounds are crystalline, air-stable, and, when treated with appropriate respect, no more dangerous than most chemicals encountered in the organic laboratory. 3 The C−Hg linkage is essentially covalent, making it a most unique and versatile organometallic bond.…”