Ill Health Plaguing Kids, Grandkids Of 1968 Oil Poisoning Victims In Japan

A massive food poisoning incident caused by tainted rice bran oil more than 50 years ago in Japan may still be affecting the health of not only of patients but also their children and grandchildren, a survey by a research team has found, Keiko Yamaguchi reported for Mainichi Japan.

Photo Insert: A diagram of the cause of Yusho disease

The poisoning came to light in 1968, after rice bran oil produced by Kanemi Soko K.K. in Kitakyushu became contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) during the production process and dioxins were generated due to heating, affecting about 14,000 people.

In the early days of the incident, babies with dermatological abnormalities, or so-called "black babies," were born.

The research team, consisting of state-commissioned doctors, conducted a survey of next-generation victims of symptoms of the Kanemi oil poisoning, commonly referred to as "Yusho disease," in the fall of 2021.

An interim report on their findings notes that the offspring of patients are complaining of symptoms similar to those of patients in many cases.

Parties concerned are calling for expanded relief measures for patients and their offspring, including revising the criteria for recognizing health damage from the poisoning, one of the largest food pollution cases in Japan.

"Up until now, it wasn't even known if the next generation was suffering from the disease, but I now know that there are many people with symptoms similar to mine," said Megumi Shimoda, 32, a resident of Isahaya, Nagasaki Prefecture. Shimoda's mother was recognized as a Yusho disease patient.

Shimoda says she was surprised to see the interim report released in February, as it showed that about 40% of the 388 respondents had subjective symptoms of fatigue or headaches. Since her childhood, Shimoda has suffered from headaches and stomach aches of unknown causes, as well as sudden nosebleeds.

She grew suspicious about the connections between her symptoms and Yusho disease and has undergone health checkups for the disease held by the local government almost every year since she was 17.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic