Chronic pollution

Japanese tragedy in Minamata

From 1932 to 1966, a chemical plant discharged methylmercury• (mercury• in organic form) on a daily basis into the waters of Minamata Bay in Japan. Methylmercury is an extremely toxic substance that accumulates in the tissues of living organisms and persists for a very long time in the environment. It settles on the bottom and gradually contaminates the food chain, in particular fish and seafood.

Local populations, as major seafood consumers, were contaminated by the poison which, in humans, mainly affects the nervous system. Consequently, in the 1950s, many lives were lost. Babies born in the villages bordering Minamata Bay suffered malformations and neurological defects. Many children and adults showed a lack of balance, shaking and delirium.

It was not until 1959 that a group of scientists made the link between these releases of methylmercury and the symptoms observed in local populations. However, due to the factory's failure to cooperate, the situation did not change. It was not until 1966 that the discharge of mercury stopped, following the introduction of a more economical synthesis process. Now many years later, the compensation procedure is still in progress.