The Minamata bay disaster A case study of biomagnification
The Chisso plant in Minamata
Chisso – the company Minamata bay is on the southernmost of Japans main islands The Chisso plant produced acetaldehyde using mercury as a catlayst Waste from the company plant contaminated the river leading into the bay
The effluent was absorbed by shellfish and small fish In turn these were eaten by larger fish and people
The mercury became increasingly concentrated as it passed up .........
Mercury poisons people It damages the NS, the endocrine system and the kidneys Symptoms include:- Itchy red skin, peeling of skin, motor problems, impaired vision, sensitivity to light, tachycardia
Mercury is also a teratogen ...this means that it interferes with development
2,246 victims were recognised 86 million in total paid in compensation to around 1,000
Victory?