Itai-itai disease occurred in which country due to industrial pollution?

• A. China
• B. United States
• C. India
• D. Japan

Answer: (D)

Itai-itai disease is a landmark example of how industrial pollution can translate into a severe public health problem. In the 1950s in Japan, cadmium from mining waste poisoned river water that irrigated rice paddies in the Jinzu River basin. People who ate the cadmium-contaminated rice developed painful bone disease and kidney dysfunction; the name itai-itai comes from the excruciating pain they experienced. This case is strongly tied to Japan’s industrial history and led to major changes in pollution control and health safeguards there. The question’s country is Japan because the outbreak is specifically linked to Japanese mining pollution and its environmental health impact.