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was a disease resulting from air and water pollution from a refinery at a mine at Toroku, located in Takachiho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki, Japan. It emitted arsenic-containing air, resulting in patients with chronic arsenic poisoning producing skin changes, skin cancers and sometimes lung cancer. The Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., which bought the right of mining was sued by the patients for health damage, but 15 years later, the lawsuit ended with a compromise. ==History== The pollution at Toroku dates back to 1690 according to A Table of Public Hazards of Japan〔Chronological Table of Public Hazards and Occupational Disease(1977), edited by Iijima N. Kouga Taisaku Gijutu Douyuukai, Tokyo 〕 *Between 1920 and 1941, and between 1955 and 1962, arsenic production was conducted at a refinery which produced smoke staying deep in V-shaped valleys. Workers and inhabitants developed chronic arsenic poisoning, and 5 died in a family of 7 in succession. *In 1925, horses and cows died possibly due to pollution, recorded a veterinary doctor. *In 1967, the right of mining went from a small factory to Sumitomo Metal Mining Company. *On December 8, 1970, Tsurue Sato sought advice at a branch of the Legal Affairs Bureau. *On November 13, 1971, elementary school teacher Masa Saito published the presence of health damage by the refinery after meeting Tsurue Sato. *The response of Miyazaki Prefecture was quick; however, the response at first tried to underestimate the damage. *This case was brought to court against the Sumitomo Mining Company and the trial started in 1975. It ended in 1990 with a compromise. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Toroku arsenic disease」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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