The Minamata disease outbreak in Japan was caused by environmental pollution with which heavy metal, leading to which type of pathology?

• A Lead — causing peripheral neuropathy and basophilic stippling of RBCs
• B Cadmium — causing painful osteoporosis and renal tubular dysfunction (Itai-Itai disease)
• C Arsenic — causing peripheral neuropathy, keratosis, and Mees' lines
• D Mercury — causing neurological damage including ataxia, sensory disturbances, and constriction of visual fields ✓

Explanation

Minamata disease resulted from methylmercury contamination of Minamata Bay, Japan (1950s), from industrial discharge. Clinical features included cerebellar ataxia, sensory impairment, constriction of visual fields, hearing impairment, and tremors — reflecting organic mercury's selective neurotoxicity. Itai-Itai disease (Toyama, Japan) was caused by cadmium. Lead poisoning causes peripheral neuropathy and basophilic stippling.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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