Zaymiey

🧪 Chemistry  ·  Environmental Chemistry  ·  NEET & JEE

Which disease is caused by methylmercury poisoning from consuming contaminated fish?

Answer: Minamata disease.

  • A Itai-itai disease
  • B Black lung disease
  • C Minamata disease
  • D Fluorosis

Correct answer: C. Minamata disease

Explanation: Minamata disease was first identified in Minamata Bay, Japan in the 1950s. Methylmercury discharged from a chemical plant accumulated in fish; people who ate the fish suffered irreversible neurological damage, tremors, and birth defects. Itai-itai disease is caused by cadmium, not mercury.

Classical (London) SmogSources: coal burningSO₂ + particulates + fogReducing typeConditions: cold, humid,early morning, winterVisibility: very low (fog)London, 1952 - ~4000 deathsHarms: eyes, lungs, bronchitisPhotochemical (LA) SmogSources: vehicles, industriesNOx + hydrocarbons + UVOxidising typeConditions: warm, sunny,afternoon, summerProducts: O₃, PAN, acroleinLos Angeles (common in cities)Harms: eyes, rubber cracking

Classical smog is a reducing mixture of SO₂ and fog, while photochemical smog is an oxidising mixture generated by UV-driven reactions of NOx and hydrocarbons.

Concept context

Understand how human activities alter the atmosphere, water, and soil. Covers air pollutants, smog types, ozone depletion, acid rain, greenhouse effect, water and soil pollution, and the principles of green chemistry.

Read the full Environmental Chemistry notes →