Question

Contamination of water with mercury causes which disease?
A. Typhoid
B. Minamata disease
C. Syphilis
D. Goiter

Answer 1

Hint: Mercury is one of the most serious pollutants threatening marine waters because it is a potent neurotoxin to fish, wildlife and humans. It is a global pollutant that eventually enters every aquatic ecosystem through one of two pathways: Point source discharge or Atmospheric deposition. Mercury is deposited from the atmosphere primarily in the form of inorganic mercury.

Complete answer:
Option A Typhoid: Typhoid fever is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. This fever is rare in developed countries. Contaminated food and water or close contact with an infected person causes typhoid fever. Mercury contamination of water does not cause typhoid.
Hence option A is not correct.
Option B Minamata disease: A neurological disease caused by severe mercury poisoning is called minamata disease. Signs and symptoms include ataxia, numbness of hands and feet, general muscle weakness, loss of peripheral vision, and hearing and speech disorders. This disease is caused by contamination of water with mercury.
So, option B is the correct answer.
Option C Syphilis: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria called Treponema pallidum. Small, painless sore is the first sign of syphilis. It can appear on the genitals, rectum, or inside the mouth. Since syphilis is not caused due to mercury contamination.
So, option C is not correct.
Option D Goiter: A condition that increases the size of your thyroid is called a goiter. The main cause of goiter is iodine deficiency. To produce thyroid hormones, iodine is required by the thyroid glands. When there is not enough iodine, the thyroid gland works harder to make thyroid hormones, which make it grow large. Since goiter is not caused by mercury contamination.
So, option D is not correct.

Hence, Option B. Minamata disease is the correct answer

Note:
An example of organic toxicity is the Minamata disease. In Minamata Bay, a factory released inorganic mercury into the water. Mercury has been methylated by bacteria and then ingested by fish. Local villagers ate the fish and began to show signs of neurological damage, such as loss of vision, numbness of the extremities, hearing loss, and ataxia. Newborns exposed to methylmercury were severely affected.