noun
pollution-related illness; pollution-caused disease
Refers to diseases caused by environmental pollution, such as Minamata disease or Yokkaichi asthma. Often used in legal, medical, and environmental contexts.
四大公害病には水俣病やイタイイタイ病などがある。
The four major pollution-related diseases include Minamata disease and Itai-itai disease.
公害病の認定基
The certification standards for pollution-related illnesses have become stricter.
職業病 refers to occupational diseases caused by workplace conditions, whereas 公害病 is caused by broader environmental pollution affecting the general public.
Compound of 公害 (こうがい, 'pollution') and 病 (びょう, 'disease'). The term became widely used in Japan during the post-war period of rapid industrialization, when severe pollution incidents led to the recognition of specific pollution-related diseases.