Aquila Children's Magazine AQUILA Magazine Best Bits | Page 85

AS MAD AS A MILLINER Is the fish in our seas safe to eat? Ed. Though strange, such scenes were not unique in history. Doctors It’s true that all fish contain small traces of diagnosed the Minamata victims mercury, some species have more than with mad-hatter’s disease. This others, but – and this is crucial – fish is tasty illness earned its unusual name and very good for you in other ways. Most after an outbreak of mercury nutritional experts think that the benefits poisonings in 1800s England. associated with eating fish far outweigh any potential harm. Fish can be part of a Hat makers or ‘hatters’ as they healthy balanced diet, but it’s very useful to were known at that time, were know where the fish you’re eating has Because they had a tendency to scream, shout out uncontrollably and generally act a little unexpectedly. Initially, people thought it was just a quirk of the profession. Eventually though, as in Minamata, doctors worked out the common link. In the 1800s, hatters also worked with mercury. They used it to soften and treat materials such as felt and fur. Doctors were able to connect the hatters’ symptoms, linking the disease to processes used in their trade. As a result of this discovery, a new phrase was coined to describe people who worked in the hat industry. The saying: ‘As mad as a hatter’ became well known as a result of the outbreak. come from. This is a really sad story. Why do we need to know about it? Yes, it is sad. Thankfully, the cats that live and feed in Minamata today are all safe and well, and only walk in the normal forwards direction. Unfortunately there are still people affected by mercury poisoning in Minamata and in other sites across the world. The World Health Organisation considers mercury to be one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of major health concern. Land-based sources (such as agricultural run-off, discharge of nutrients and pesticides and untreated sewage including plastics) account for approximately 80 per cent of marine pollution, globally. But there are ways people can help to reduce harm for the future. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the effects of mercury poisoning. Since its adoption in 2013, close to 130 countries have signed up to it. It’s hoped that, over the next few decades, the treaty will help to reduce mercury pollution from human practices. In the meantime, people can: ● Educate others about the health risks of mercury poisoning, and the need to protect our planet from dangerous industrial practices. ● Promote the use of clean energy, like solar and other renewable fossil free fuels, wherever possible. ● Reduce our reliance on plastics as much as we can. Learn more about the convention at: www.mercuryconvention.org regularly classed as ‘mad’. Why?