Organized by Minamata Mercury Satellite Symposium
(Co-chairs: Prof. Masazumi Harada and Prof.
Shigeo Ekino)
Prof. Masazumi Harada
Department of Social Welfare Studies
Kumamoto Gakuen University
Prof. Shigeo Ekino
Department of Anatomy
Kumamoto University Medical School
&
Promotion Office
For Research and Investigation of Academic Resources
Kumamoto University Library
Supported by Promotion Office For Research and Investigation
of
Academic Resources, Kumamoto University Library
Introduction
It is well known that Minamata Disease was
caused by industrial releases of methyl-
and other mercury compounds into Minamata
Bay. However, disoriented Japanese studies
so far have not provided any basic scientific
data to do academic researches onMinamata
Disease due to the bureaucratic confusion.
In the first part of the symposium, we would
reevaluate the past data and try to clarify
for how long and how far mercury pollution
had occurred. Based on this data, it is indicated
that methylmercury (MeHg) pollution had gone
beyond Minamata Bay and overspread to Shiranui
Sea. Thus, we would propose that an extensive
and systematic survey on the residents on
the coast of Shiranui Sea, which may play
an essential role in studying the influences
of long-term, low-dose MeHg exposures on
human brains, is indispensable. Moreover,
epidemiological studies and politics of Minamata
Disease in Japan would be critically discussed
in this symposium. In the second part of
the symposium, we would reinvestigate symptoms
and signs of Minamata Disease and show methods
for the medical examinations of MeHg poisoning.
In these satellite symposiums, we will re-evaluate
past data and attempt to clarify the length
of time and geographical extent in which
mercury pollution has occurred. We have reinvestigated
the symptoms and signs of Minamata Disease
and in SATTELITE SYMPOSIUM-REVIEW OF MINAMATA
DISEASE:
PART 1 / October 15th
Epidemiological studies and political and
social issues concerning Minamata Disease
in Japan will be critically discussed.
PART 2 / October 17th
We will show new methods for medical examinations
of MeHg poisoning..
We will propose the need for a prospective
survey of MeHg poisoning of the Shiranui
Sea area.
At last, we wish that as many as researchers
and the citizens would join our symposium
and perceive crucial facts of MeHg poisoning
of residents on the coast of the Shiranui
Sea and to deliberate on this matter.
PART 1 and 2:
1. A History of Minamata Disease: The End of Minamata Disease Not Yet in Sight.
Speaker: Masazumi Harada (Kumamoto Gakuen University)
2. Reevaluation of Duration and Expansion of Methylmercury Pollution in the
Shiranui Sea
Organized by Shigeo Ekino (Kumamoto University Medical School)
3. Epidemiology of Minamata Disease
Organized by Toshihide Tsuda (Okayama University Medical School)
4. Reexamination of Sensory Disturbance in Minamata Disease
Organized by Shigeo Ekino (Kumamoto University Medical School)
5. Reexamination of Fetal Minamata Disease
Organized by Masazumi Harada (Kumamoto Gakuen University)
Shigeo Ekino (Kumamoto University Medical School)
6. Political and Social Issues Concerning Minamata Disease
Organized by Aileen Mioko Smith and Nobuo Miyazawa
Abstracts of each session are to be on this Web site soon.
We are waiting for the messages;
please contact:
PART 1
Date: October 15th (Monday)
Time: 9am -1pm
PART 2
We would like to concentrate on the new methods of medical diagnosis of the MeHg
poisoning and the medical examinations of Minamata Disease Patients in PART 2.
Date: October 17th (Wednesday)
Time: 7pm -9:30pm
Location: The Minamata City Public Hall, 2nd Floor,
1st Seminar Room
Minamata City, Hamamachi 2 chome, 10-26,
Minamata City
Tel: 81-(0)966-63-8402
Language: English
Fee: No charge.
For further information, please contact:
Prof. Shigeo Ekino
Tel: +81-(0)96-373-5047,
Fax: +81-96-373-5048,
E-mail: ekino@kaiju.medic.kumamoto-u.ac.jp