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Ontario Minamata disease

Ontario Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. It occurred in the Canadian province of Ontario, in 1970, and severely affected two First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario following consumption of local fish contaminated with mercury, and one First Nation in Southern Ontario due to illegal disposal of industrial chemical waste. The disease was named after the infamous case of severe mercury poisoning in the fishing community of Minamata, Japan, which became known as Minamata disease because it devastated only the residents of the community.

Source of the mercury pollution edit

Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations edit

In 1962, Dryden Chemical Company began operating a chloralkali process plant in Dryden, Ontario, using mercury cells.[1][2] It produced sodium hydroxide and chlorine that were used in large amounts for bleaching paper during production by the nearby Dryden Pulp and Paper Company.[1] Both companies were subsidiaries of the British multinational, Reed International.[1]

Dryden Chemical Company discharged their effluent directly into the Wabigoon-English River system. In 1970, extensive mercury contamination was discovered in this river system, leading to closure of the commercial fishery and some tourism related businesses. On March 26, 1970, the Ontario provincial government ordered Dryden Chemical Company to cease dumping mercury into the river system, although the order did not place any restrictions on airborne emissions of mercury by the company.[2] It was estimated that over 9,000 kg of mercury had been dumped by the company into the Wabigoon-English river system between 1962 and 1970.[2] The airborne emissions of mercury continued unabated until the company stopped using mercury cells in its chloralkali process in October 1975; the company closed down in 1976.[2]

Sarnia First Nation edit

The Aamjiwnaang First Nation (the Chippewas of Sarnia) is located on the St. Clair River, affectionately called by the local population "Chemical Valley". This First Nation is plagued by numerous chemical affective disorders, including mercury poisoning. Elders in the community recall collecting mercury from the local toxic waste dump by pouring water, then selling the collected mercury on the black market.[3]

Health effects edit

Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations edit

In the late 1960s, people in the Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations populations started to have symptoms of mercury poisoning. Several Japanese doctors who had been involved in studying Minamata disease in Japan travelled to Canada to investigate the mercury poisoning in these people.[4][5] Blood mercury levels were above 100 ppb in a significant number of individuals and above 200 ppb in several others.[5] Symptoms included sensory disturbances, such as narrowing of the visual field, and impaired hearing, abnormal eye movements, tremor, ataxia (impaired balance), and dysarthria (poor articulation of speech).[5]

Health effects continued to be felt, even in young people, in the 21st century. Dumping of drums of mercury which continue to leak is suspected,[6] and field work by Brian Branfireun and others continues to monitor the health of the ecosystem.[7][8][9]

Lawsuits and settlements edit

Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations edit

The Asabiinyashkosiwagong Nitam-Anishinaabeg or the "Grassy Narrows First Nation" and their downstream neighbours, the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations (then known as the "Whitedog Community of the Islington Band of Saulteaux") "sought compensation for loss of jobs and way of life. According to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) Ontario Region Communications, "on March 26, 1982, Canada contributed $2.2 million to Wabaseemoong for economic development, social and educational programs. Wabaseemoong also signed a settlement with Ontario in January 1983. On July 27, 1984, Canada contributed $4.4 million to Grassy Narrows for economic development and social service development/planning."[10]

According to INAC, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) reached in 1985 between the federal government, the Ontario government, Reed Limited, and Great Lakes Forest Products Ltd. resulted in a one-time compensation payment of $16.67 million with the federal government contributing $2 million, the Ontario government paying . Through the 1986 "Grassy Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement Act". Through this claims settlement, the Kenora, Ontario-based Mercury Disability Fund (MDF) and the Mercury Disability Board.[10] The Government of Ontario held $2 million of this settlement in a trust fund which the province is "responsible for replenishing when the balance drops below $100,000.[10]

Nevertheless, the community members have seen little of this money, due to conditions on its use and bureaucratic requirements by band councils. Similarly to other First Nations communities, the federal government's Indian Act governance system has made it difficult for band councils and chiefs to negotiate for their people.[11]

Chief Sakatcheway was the first leader of community when the treaty was signed and mainly wanted education for the community.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c D'ltri, P A; D'ltri, F M (January 1978). "Mercury contamination: A human tragedy". Environmental Management. 2 (1): 3–16. Bibcode:1978EnMan...2....3D. doi:10.1007/BF01866442. ISSN 1432-1009. S2CID 153666705.
  2. ^ a b c d McDonald, A. (PDF). JACS Conference 2007: Japanese Association for Canadian Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-10-14. Retrieved 2007-12-14. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. ^ "Caught in a toxic web, Canadian natives are alarmed by a shortage of sons" 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine. AP News archive
  4. ^ Mercury Poisoning. Vol. CX16. Quaker Committee for Native Concerns, Toronto, Canada. 1976. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  5. ^ a b c Harada, M, Fujino, T, Akagi, T, and Nishigaki, S. "Epidemiological and clinical study and historical background of mercury pollution on Indian Reservations in Northwestern Ontario, Canada". Kumamoto University. 26: 169–184.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Susan Goldberg (April 19, 2017). "The Town Where Mercury Still Rises". The New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  7. ^ Forbes, Ryan (2018-08-14). "ODSP now covers mercury poisoning".
  8. ^ Loriggio, Paola (2017-02-28). "Chief says mercury still leaking from mill near Grassy Narrows - According to Chief Simon Fobister, a new report suggests there is ongoing contamination from the Dryden, Ont., mill".
  9. ^ Forbes, Ryan (2017-10-25). "Mercury legacy 'frightening,'commissioner".
  10. ^ a b c . INAC Ontario Region Communications. April 12, 2005. Archived from the original on March 11, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  11. ^ . Archived from the original on 2008-03-16. Retrieved 2007-10-25.

Further reading edit

  • Ningewance, Patricia M., "Summary of Mercury Intoxication: a Translation" in An Ojibwe Text Anthology, edited by John D. Nichols. The Centre for Research and Teaching of Canadian Native Languages, University of Western Ontario (London, ON: 1988).
  • Hightower, Jane, Diagnosis Mercury: Money, Politics and Poison, Island Press, 2008, chapter 9.
  • Shkilnyk, Anestasia, A Poison Stronger than Love: The Destruction of an Ojibwa Community, Yale University Press (March 11, 1985), trade paperback, 276 pages, ISBN 0300033257 ISBN 978-0300033250; hardcover, Yale University Press (March 11, 1985), ISBN 0300029977 ISBN 978-0300029970

External links edit

  • CBC Digital Archives: Grassy Narrows: Still ill (Sept. 2002)
  • CBC Digital Archives: The Fifth Estate: Grassy Narrows Disaster (Sept. 1975)
  • copy of Indian Life news archive
  • Grassy Narrows & Islington Band Mercury Disability Board web page
  • Grassy Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement Act (1986, c. 23) Justice Canada version and Royal Assent as of 1986-06-17 - CanLII version
  • Indian and Northern Affairs Canada: The White Dog and Grassy Narrows Story

ontario, minamata, disease, neurological, syndrome, caused, severe, mercury, poisoning, occurred, canadian, province, ontario, 1970, severely, affected, first, nation, communities, northwestern, ontario, following, consumption, local, fish, contaminated, with,. Ontario Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning It occurred in the Canadian province of Ontario in 1970 and severely affected two First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario following consumption of local fish contaminated with mercury and one First Nation in Southern Ontario due to illegal disposal of industrial chemical waste The disease was named after the infamous case of severe mercury poisoning in the fishing community of Minamata Japan which became known as Minamata disease because it devastated only the residents of the community Contents 1 Source of the mercury pollution 1 1 Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations 1 2 Sarnia First Nation 2 Health effects 2 1 Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations 3 Lawsuits and settlements 3 1 Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksSource of the mercury pollution editMain article Mercury contamination in Grassy Narrows Ontario Canada Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations edit In 1962 Dryden Chemical Company began operating a chloralkali process plant in Dryden Ontario using mercury cells 1 2 It produced sodium hydroxide and chlorine that were used in large amounts for bleaching paper during production by the nearby Dryden Pulp and Paper Company 1 Both companies were subsidiaries of the British multinational Reed International 1 Dryden Chemical Company discharged their effluent directly into the Wabigoon English River system In 1970 extensive mercury contamination was discovered in this river system leading to closure of the commercial fishery and some tourism related businesses On March 26 1970 the Ontario provincial government ordered Dryden Chemical Company to cease dumping mercury into the river system although the order did not place any restrictions on airborne emissions of mercury by the company 2 It was estimated that over 9 000 kg of mercury had been dumped by the company into the Wabigoon English river system between 1962 and 1970 2 The airborne emissions of mercury continued unabated until the company stopped using mercury cells in its chloralkali process in October 1975 the company closed down in 1976 2 Sarnia First Nation edit The Aamjiwnaang First Nation the Chippewas of Sarnia is located on the St Clair River affectionately called by the local population Chemical Valley This First Nation is plagued by numerous chemical affective disorders including mercury poisoning Elders in the community recall collecting mercury from the local toxic waste dump by pouring water then selling the collected mercury on the black market 3 Health effects editGrassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations edit In the late 1960s people in the Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations populations started to have symptoms of mercury poisoning Several Japanese doctors who had been involved in studying Minamata disease in Japan travelled to Canada to investigate the mercury poisoning in these people 4 5 Blood mercury levels were above 100 ppb in a significant number of individuals and above 200 ppb in several others 5 Symptoms included sensory disturbances such as narrowing of the visual field and impaired hearing abnormal eye movements tremor ataxia impaired balance and dysarthria poor articulation of speech 5 Health effects continued to be felt even in young people in the 21st century Dumping of drums of mercury which continue to leak is suspected 6 and field work by Brian Branfireun and others continues to monitor the health of the ecosystem 7 8 9 Lawsuits and settlements editGrassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations edit The Asabiinyashkosiwagong Nitam Anishinaabeg or the Grassy Narrows First Nation and their downstream neighbours the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations then known as the Whitedog Community of the Islington Band of Saulteaux sought compensation for loss of jobs and way of life According to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs INAC Ontario Region Communications on March 26 1982 Canada contributed 2 2 million to Wabaseemoong for economic development social and educational programs Wabaseemoong also signed a settlement with Ontario in January 1983 On July 27 1984 Canada contributed 4 4 million to Grassy Narrows for economic development and social service development planning 10 According to INAC a Memorandum of Agreement MOA reached in 1985 between the federal government the Ontario government Reed Limited and Great Lakes Forest Products Ltd resulted in a one time compensation payment of 16 67 million with the federal government contributing 2 million the Ontario government paying Through the 1986 Grassy Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement Act Through this claims settlement the Kenora Ontario based Mercury Disability Fund MDF and the Mercury Disability Board 10 The Government of Ontario held 2 million of this settlement in a trust fund which the province is responsible for replenishing when the balance drops below 100 000 10 Nevertheless the community members have seen little of this money due to conditions on its use and bureaucratic requirements by band councils Similarly to other First Nations communities the federal government s Indian Act governance system has made it difficult for band councils and chiefs to negotiate for their people 11 Chief Sakatcheway was the first leader of community when the treaty was signed and mainly wanted education for the community See also editEnvironmental justice Environmental racism Heavy metal poisoning Minamata disease Niigata Minamata disease Mercury poisoningReferences edit a b c D ltri P A D ltri F M January 1978 Mercury contamination A human tragedy Environmental Management 2 1 3 16 Bibcode 1978EnMan 2 3D doi 10 1007 BF01866442 ISSN 1432 1009 S2CID 153666705 a b c d McDonald A Indigenous peoples vulnerabilities exposed Lessons learned from Canada s Minamata incident An Environmental analysis based on the case study of methyl mercury pollution in northwestern Ontario Canada PDF JACS Conference 2007 Japanese Association for Canadian Studies Archived from the original PDF on 2007 10 14 Retrieved 2007 12 14 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help CS1 maint location link Caught in a toxic web Canadian natives are alarmed by a shortage of sons Archived 2012 02 09 at the Wayback Machine AP News archive Mercury Poisoning Vol CX16 Quaker Committee for Native Concerns Toronto Canada 1976 Retrieved 2007 12 14 a b c Harada M Fujino T Akagi T and Nishigaki S Epidemiological and clinical study and historical background of mercury pollution on Indian Reservations in Northwestern Ontario Canada Kumamoto University 26 169 184 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Susan Goldberg April 19 2017 The Town Where Mercury Still Rises The New York Times Retrieved April 19 2017 Forbes Ryan 2018 08 14 ODSP now covers mercury poisoning Loriggio Paola 2017 02 28 Chief says mercury still leaking from mill near Grassy Narrows According to Chief Simon Fobister a new report suggests there is ongoing contamination from the Dryden Ont mill Forbes Ryan 2017 10 25 Mercury legacy frightening commissioner a b c English Wabigoon River Mercury Compensation INAC Ontario Region Communications April 12 2005 Archived from the original on March 11 2008 Retrieved March 5 2021 New Socialist Grassy Narrows History of the fight Archived from the original on 2008 03 16 Retrieved 2007 10 25 Further reading editNingewance Patricia M Summary of Mercury Intoxication a Translation in An Ojibwe Text Anthology edited by John D Nichols The Centre for Research and Teaching of Canadian Native Languages University of Western Ontario London ON 1988 Hightower Jane Diagnosis Mercury Money Politics and Poison Island Press 2008 chapter 9 Shkilnyk Anestasia A Poison Stronger than Love The Destruction of an Ojibwa Community Yale University Press March 11 1985 trade paperback 276 pages ISBN 0300033257 ISBN 978 0300033250 hardcover Yale University Press March 11 1985 ISBN 0300029977 ISBN 978 0300029970External links editCBC Digital Archives Grassy Narrows Still ill Sept 2002 CBC Digital Archives The Fifth Estate Grassy Narrows Disaster Sept 1975 copy of Toronto Star news archive Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Fact Sheet English Wabigoon River Mercury Compensation Fort Frances Times news archive copy of Indian Life news archive Grassy Narrows amp Islington Band Mercury Disability Board web page University of Guelph THE SCIENCE CORNER archive Grassy Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement Act 1986 c 23 Justice Canada version and Royal Assent as of 1986 06 17 CanLII version Indian and Northern Affairs Canada The White Dog and Grassy Narrows Story Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ontario Minamata disease amp oldid 1209053743, wikipedia, 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