Ontario Minamata disease facts for kids
Ontario Minamata disease is a very serious health problem. It happens when people get sick from too much mercury in their bodies. This happened in the Canadian province of Ontario in 1970. It greatly affected two First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario. They became sick after eating local fish that had mercury in it. Another First Nation in Southern Ontario was affected by industrial chemical waste. The disease was named after a famous case of mercury poisoning in Minamata, Japan. That case was called Minamata disease.
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Where the Mercury Came From
Grassy Narrows and Whitedog Communities
In 1962, the Dryden Chemical Company started a factory in Dryden, Ontario. This factory used mercury to make chemicals. These chemicals were used to bleach paper by the nearby Dryden Pulp and Paper Company. Both companies were part of a big British company called Reed International.
The Dryden Chemical Company put its waste directly into the Wabigoon-English River system. In 1970, a lot of mercury was found in this river system. Because of this, fishing for money and some tourism businesses had to close. On March 26, 1970, the Ontario government told the company to stop dumping mercury into the river. However, the company could still release mercury into the air.
It is thought that over 9,000 kilograms of mercury were dumped into the river system. This happened between 1962 and 1970. The company kept releasing mercury into the air until 1975. The factory closed down in 1976.
Sarnia First Nation Community
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation is located on the St. Clair River. People in the area sometimes call it "Chemical Valley." This community has faced many health problems from chemicals. This includes mercury poisoning. Older people in the community remember collecting mercury from a local waste dump. They would pour water to gather it.
How Mercury Affected Health
Grassy Narrows and Whitedog Communities
In the late 1960s, people in the Grassy Narrows and Whitedog communities started showing signs of mercury poisoning. Doctors from Japan who had studied Minamata disease came to Canada. They came to help investigate the mercury poisoning in these people.
Many people had high levels of mercury in their blood. Some had very high levels. Symptoms included problems with their senses. For example, their vision could narrow. They also had trouble hearing. Other signs included unusual eye movements and shaking. They also had trouble with balance and speaking clearly.
Health problems continued for people, even young ones, into the 21st century. It is thought that drums of mercury are still leaking into the environment. Scientists like Brian Branfireun continue to check the health of the ecosystem.
Agreements and Help
Grassy Narrows and Whitedog Communities
The Grassy Narrows First Nation and the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations asked for help. They wanted money because they lost jobs and their way of life changed. In 1982, the Canadian government gave $2.2 million to Wabaseemoong. This money was for community programs. Wabaseemoong also made an agreement with Ontario in 1983. In 1984, Canada gave $4.4 million to Grassy Narrows. This was also for community programs.
In 1985, a special agreement was made. It involved the Canadian government, the Ontario government, and the companies. This led to a payment of $16.67 million. The Canadian government gave $2 million. The Ontario government also contributed. This was done through the "Grassy Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement Act" in 1986.
This agreement created the Mercury Disability Fund (MDF). It also created the Mercury Disability Board. The Government of Ontario holds $2 million of this money in a trust fund. The province is responsible for adding money to it if the amount drops too low.
However, community members have not seen much of this money. This is because of rules on how it can be used. Also, there are many official steps needed by the band councils. The federal government's Indian Act system has made it hard for leaders to get help for their people.
Chief Sakatcheway was the first leader of the community when the agreement was signed. He mainly wanted education for his community.
See also
- Environmental justice
- Environmental racism
- Heavy metal poisoning
- Minamata disease
- Niigata Minamata disease
- Mercury poisoning
