WORKSHOP

1. Sum up the Itai-itai disease video in one paragraph.

To begin with it is important to claim that this disease was caused by mineria with
extraction of gold, lead, copper and zinc. This caused the contamination of the Jinzü River
which is mainly used for population uses such as drinking water, washing, fishing and rice
watering. Due to cadmium poisoning, fish in the river began to die, creating a disease
where one of the main effects of cadmium poisoning is weak and brittle bones. Lastly the
Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a statement on the symptoms of itai-itai disease
caused by cadmium poisoning.

Reference: Mimicoable (2012, 05, 01 Mercury Poisoning- The Minamata Story. Recovered from de
http:// https:// Introduction on Japan and Itai Itai Disease

2. Considering the Minamata disease video, what could have been done to prevent or
reduce the disease outbreak?

To start with, the Japanese state had to train chemical plants that were actively working
with methylmercury compounds, by performing an appropriate process of collecting
effluents with toxic compounds to dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly manner.
This would have initially avoided the exponential devastation both environmental and
human.

Even if, the government would have reacted in a timely manner to the neurotoxic disorder
that the inhabitants of Minamota began to have, caused by the intake of marine products
contaminated with methylmercury compounds discharged from the Minamata plant, which
was manifested with symptoms not only in humans but in animals; sensory disorders,
ataxia, visual problems and hearing disorders that led to death.

Instead the sanitation office of the city of Minamata began to receive reports of an
unknown epilepsy such as the affliction that has since been known as Minamata, patients
were isolated to prevent the spread of the disease.

In my opinion, it would also have taken countermeasures to challenge Matamata’s disease

in the Future to further improve medical treatment and facilitate the regeneration and
reconciliation of relationships and human and affected areas, ensuring a better quality of
life.

Owing to, this event the state granted 51 persons the right to be compensated for damages
suffered as a result of methylmercury poisoning. This is a global example, it is a warning
that companies that do not know how to use their toxic wastes, find ways to collect and
treat them in such a way that it does not create a danger to human life and the ecosystem.

Reference: Muizainal (2009, 03, 19 Mercury Poisoning- The Minamata Story. Recovered from de
http:// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihFkyPv1jtU