Which of the following metal was responsible for Minamata disease that caused several deaths in Japan and Sweden ?

Options

A. Lead
B. Mercury
C. Arsenic
D. Cadmium

Answer

To answer the question regarding which metal was responsible for Minamata disease that caused several deaths in Japan and Sweden, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Minamata Disease**: Begin by recognizing that Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome. It is crucial to identify the cause of this syndrome to answer the question correctly.

2. **Identifying the Cause**: Research and recall that Minamata disease is primarily caused by mercury poisoning. This poisoning occurs when mercury accumulates in the environment, particularly in water bodies, leading to its bioaccumulation in fish, which are then consumed by humans.

3. **Evaluating the Options**: The question provides several metal options:
- **Lead**: This is not associated with Minamata disease.
- **Mercury**: This is the correct answer, as it is well-documented that mercury is the cause of Minamata disease.
- **Arsenic**: This is also not linked to Minamata disease.
- **Cadmium**: Like lead and arsenic, cadmium is not responsible for Minamata disease.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the evaluation of the options, the correct answer is **mercury**.

### Final Answer:
The metal responsible for Minamata disease that caused several deaths in Japan and Sweden is **mercury**.

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