Did History Actually Teach Us Anything? – Episode 14 Minimata Bay Poisoning

Laura: 
Welcome to Did History Actually Teach Us Anything?
The podcast where we unravel the most well-known tales of calamity, mishap, and unforeseen consequences that have shaped the course of history. And consider whether we've actually learned anything from them all these years later... 
In this podcast, we examine the historical events that you may think you know about already and the causes that led to them, be they icebergs or bakers ovens. 
We will consider whether these tragedies could have been avoided, and some of the surprising things we do differently now as a result. 
But this podcast, isn't just about dates and events. It's about learning from the past, drawing insights from hindsight, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexities of what really happened in these events we think we know so well. 
So get ready to encounter remarkable individuals, pivotal moments and fascinating insights that will make you appreciate health and safety and environmental management as far more than just red tape.​
Between 1951 and 1968, a chemical company dumped extreme amounts of mercury into Minamata Bay, poisoning fish and devastating the lives of those who relied on them for food.
Over 1,500 people died, thousands were left disabled, including many unborn babies, and millions were exposed to toxic mercury levels.
In this episode, we explore the heartbreaking story of Minamata, its lasting impact, and the lessons it holds for environmental responsibility.
Joining us is our environmental management expert, John, who will begin by giving us a brief overview of the Minamata Bay mercury poisoning.


John: 
Let me set the scene: Minamata is a small town in southeast Japan. Near to the town is Minamata Bay that exists on the west coast of Kyushu Island. 
In the 1960s, the Chisso Corporation operated a chemical factory in the area since not long after the turn of the century. 
They had been discharging mercury contaminated wastewater into the bay as a by product of its industrial processes for many years with large quantities in particular being released into the bay from 1951 to 1968. 
The Minamata mercury poisoning became a focal point for environmental activism and led to legal action against Chisso. 
The company eventually acknowledged responsibility for the pollution, although this took many years.
The incident raised awareness about the impact of industrial pollution on public health and the environment. 
The legacy of the Minamata mercury poisoning persists. 
Many victims continue to experience health issues, and the incident remains a symbol of the need for stringent environmental regulations to prevent industrial pollution and protect public health. 


Laura: 
So what were the events leading up to the poisoning, John?


John: 
To understand this incident, it is important to cover some science. 
Methylmercury is an organic type of mercury formed by microbes which is bioavailable, such that when it is consumed it can easily build up in living things such as plants, fish and humans, and is very slowly released. 
Substances that have this property are usually high risk and are said to bioaccumulate.
But that is not the full story. Methylmercury increases in concentration as it passes up the food chain. 
Imagine, a small fish eats many contaminated plants, a large fish eats many contaminated small fish, etc.
As the food chain ascends, there is a large increase in the concentration of mercury at each stage compared to the previous stage. 
This process is known as biomagnification. This is exactly what occurred in the incident. 
Fish in Minamata Bay accumulated large concentrations of mercury, leading to high levels of methylmercury in their structure.
Local residents, who relied heavily on fish as a source of food, unknowingly consumed contaminated fish, resulting in widespread exposure to large amounts of mercury. 
Strange behaviors were even noticed in cats, and some locals termed it cat dancing disease, as cats experienced symptoms of mercury poisoning that were the same as those experienced by humans.
Methylmercury is a highly toxic compound that affects the nervous system. 
Residents who inadvertently consumed large quantities of contaminated fish experienced severe neurological symptoms such as difficulty hearing, swallowing, convulsions, falling into a coma and even death. 
Often these symptoms were attributed to other causes such as contagious diseases or food poisonings.
Unborn children were also affected in cases of prenatal exposure, with children being born with damage to the central nervous system, deafness and blindness, with the prevalence of stillbirths and miscarriages being much higher than normal.


Laura: 
So how was the poisoning proven?


John: 
Of the 40 patients that had been identified by October 1956, 14 had died exhibiting these symptoms. 
Eventually, the link between the mercury discharges and the disease was proven, by analysing tissue samples from humans, shellfish, mud from the bay, and by feeding mercury contaminated food to animals who experienced the same symptoms, as those poisoned from the incident.
Many years later, the official death rate from the incident is said to have been 1,784, and many thousands more received compensation from the Chisso Corporation.


Laura: 
What was the reaction from government officials and the Chisso Corporation?


John: 
The Chisso factory was significantly influential in industry and society in Japan at the time. 
Around a quarter of Minamata City's workers were employed at the factory, and it paid half of all local taxes, in addition to funding public facilities such as a hospital. 
The corporation began receiving requests for compensation from fishermen as far back as the 1920s, with small amounts of compensation being paid, known as 'sympathy money'. 
Evidence such as fish not being present at the effluent outfall, no barnacles being present on boats by the outfall, and oysters and cockles being washed up on the beach and rotting were brushed under the carpet.
Measures such as importing vaccines from Russia had been taken in the 1950s in Japan to address a polio outbreak. When questioned about the lack of action for this incident in comparison, the Chief of the Department of Environmental Health stated, 'Chisso never existed behind the polio outbreak'. 
Internal communications within the Japanese government in the 1950s were hostile towards the incident, being more concerned about the impact on Japanese economic growth if environmental controls were placed on the corporation.
Conversely, fishermen and their families, severely impacted by the incident, lacked political power both locally and nationally. 
It is clear that the lack of inaction as a result of the worries regarding the economy led to an excess of deaths and serious illness.


Laura: 
What factors contributed to the delayed recognition and response to the poisoning?


John: 
At the time, there were inadequate monitoring and regulatory measures in place to control industrial pollution. 
The Chisso Corporation was able to release mercury containing effluents without effective oversight, contributing to the contamination of the local environment. 
The company continued to release mercury contaminated wastewater into Minamata Bay even after becoming aware of the connection between its industrial activities and the health issues affecting the local population. 
There was a lack of awareness about the health risks associated with mercury exposure, especially methylmercury. 
The local population was unaware that the fish they relied on for sustenance contained high levels of a neurotoxic substance.
Additionally, there was a delayed identification of the cause, as the symptoms of mercury poisoning, particularly the neurological effects, were not immediately linked to environmental pollution. It took several years before researchers identified the cause of the mysterious illness as methyl mercury poisoning.


Laura: 
Well, is there any way that the poisoning could have been avoided?


John: 
A word of caution: hindsight allows for a better understanding of the factors that contributed to the Minimata mercury poisoning. 
It's crucial to keep in mind that there's been a significant amount of time since the incident occurred, and at the time, awareness of the risks associated with mercury exposure was limited, and regulatory frameworks for environmental protection, such as permitting regimes, were not as robust as they are today.
Despite this, it is important to consider how the Minamata mercury poisoning could have been avoided. 
Primarily, the Chisso Corporation could have implemented proper management practices, ideally not using mercury as a product ingredient in the first place.
Elimination is the best form of risk management. If this was not possible, then effective treatment of wastewater containing methylmercury could have been undertaken. 
Better government regulations and their effective enforcement are important to preventing these types of incidents. 
For example, an environmental permitting regime regulating industrial activities involving mercury, in particular effluent discharges, could have prevented the Chisso Corporation from releasing untreated wastewater into the bay.
Effective regulatory measures are crucial for holding companies accountable and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. 
Regular environmental monitoring of water in the bay, especially near to industrial facilities, could have detected elevated levels of mercury at an early stage. 
Timely identification of contaminants could have prompted corrective actions before widespread exposure occurred.
As mercury poisoning such as this will take years to drop to safe levels, the local population could have been made aware of the dangers of mercury through public awareness campaigns. This could have resulted in them being more cautious about consuming contaminated seafood. 
Knowing about the risks associated with certain industrial practices in the area where they lived could have empowered communities to take preventive measures themselves.
Moreover, empowering local communities to be actively involved in environmental protection and advocating for their rights, could have led to early detection of pollution and prompt intervention to prevent further contamination. 
Finally, collaborative efforts between countries and international organizations to share knowledge, research, and best practices in environmental protection could contribute to preventing similar incidents globally.
Lessons learned from one region could inform preventive measures in others.


Laura: 
So with all of that in mind, what lessons were learned as a result of the poisoning and what preventative measures do we have in place now?


John: 
The Minimata mercury poisoning serves as a long lasting reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting the environment and public health. 
The lessons learned from this tragedy have contributed to global efforts to reduce mercury pollution, improve environmental regulations, and promote sustainable and responsible industrial practices.
Specifically the Chisso Corporation's role in the Minimata mercury poisoning highlighted the need for corporate responsibility. 
Companies are now largely aware of the importance of ethical practices, transparency, and environmental stewardship to prevent harm to communities and ecosystems. 
The Minimata mercury poisoning had global implications, leading to increased awareness of mercury pollution internationally. 
This contributed to collaborative efforts, such as the International Minamata Convention on Mercury adopted in 2013, which prohibits the import and export of mercury and mercury compounds in addition to other restrictions. 
The incident highlighted the importance of robust environmental regulations and effective oversight mechanisms to prevent industrial pollution. 
Governments and regulatory bodies understand the need for industrial activities to be regulated and frequently monitored to protect the environment and human health. 
For example, mercury and mercury compounds are strictly controlled, such as there now being limits on mercury in packaging, electrical equipment, batteries, and it being a strictly controlled substance, in both releases to air and water. 
The severe impact of methylmercury on prenatal health highlighted the importance of monitoring and safeguarding the health of pregnant women. Public health programs now emphasize the importance of prenatal care and education on potential risks during pregnancy. 
Should an incident such as this occur again, the difficulties faced by the victims of Minamata Bay poisoning highlighted the importance of providing compensation, medical care, and support to affected individuals and communities.
This lesson influenced discussions around corporate liability and victim support in the aftermath of environmental disasters. 
It is clear that those who were affected by the Minamata Bay poisoning, deaths and illnesses were not in vain, as Mercury is strictly controlled today. 
It is just such a shame that so many people had to be poisoned for humanity to learn about the dangers of being exposed to Mercury.

Laura: 
Thanks for joining us on this episode of Did History Actually Teach Us Anything? 
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