71: Toxic Relationship

We review the other three of Japan's Big Four Pollution Diseases: Minamata disease, discovered in the 1950s and understood by the late 1960s; Yokkaichi asthma, discovered around 1960 and mostly understood by the early 1970s; and Niigata Minamata disease, discovered in 1965 and resolved by 1971. All four were created by corporations polluting the local environment, and then denying their activities. Mercury pollution is discussed in detail. We hear from special guest Dr. Myra Weiner, who discusses the principles of toxicology.