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?