[Food Sanitation Act and Minamata Disease].

Immediately after the official recognition of Minamata disease (1956.5.l) a study group at Kumamoto University suggested that Minamata disease was caused by food poisoning.

[History of ignorance of methylmercury toxicity and intoxication in Japan in relation to Minamata disease].

The first reports of methylmercury intoxication appeared in 1865 and 1866. These reports had sensational effects in European countries, and were introduced not only in journals but also in newspapers. These two reports were referable in Japan at the latest in 1927.

[Bibliographical study of the toxicity of organic mercury compounds].

Objectives: The aim of this study is to correct the misunderstanding that the toxicity of organic mercury compounds is unknown at the time of the outbreak of Minamata disease (May 1, 1956).

Results And Discussion: Two case reports of organic mercury (methylmercury) intoxication were published already in 1865 and 1866. The conversion of inorganic mercury added in acetoaldehyde synthesis was already pointed out in 1921.

Field evaluation of mercury vapor analytical methods: comparison of the "double amalgam method" and ISO 17733.

In this study, a gold amalgam method called the "Double amalgam method" was compared with the ISO 17733 method for mercury vapor analysis method. In terms of sensitivity and ease of operation, the amalgamation method is superior to the oxidation method. Two parallel samplings were carried out in this research at a button battery factory, where the mercury vapor level in the air was about 0.

[Bibliographical study of Minamata disease].

In 1958, Minamata Disease was suggested to be organic mercury compounds intoxication. This suggestion was based on Hunter and Russel's report on occupational exposure to methylmercury. This report is known to have established the typical symptoms of methyl mercury intoxication.