1. The Minamata bay disaster
A case study of biomagnification

2. The Chisso plant in Minamata

3. 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

4. The effluent was absorbed by shellfish and small fish
In turn these were eaten by larger fish and people

5. The mercury became increasingly concentrated as it passed up .........

6. 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

7. Mercury is also a teratogen
...this means that it interferes with development

8. 2,246 victims were recognised
86 million in total paid in compensation to around 1,000

9. Victory?