Minamata Disease (Japan, 1950s–1960s)
Caused by methylmercury dumped by the Chisso Corporation into Minamata Bay. Thousands developed neurological damage, including paralysis, blindness, birth defects, and death.
History is filled with both personal and large-scale cases of mercury poisoning—some tragic, others infamous—spanning industrial disasters, cultural practices, and scientific experimentation.
| Case | Type | Cause | Notable Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minamata Disease | Mass poisoning | Methylmercury in seafood | Neurological damage, birth defects |
| Niigata Minamata | Mass poisoning | Methylmercury in river | Neurological disorders |
| Iraq Grain Incident | Mass poisoning | Methylmercury-treated grain | Hundreds dead, thousands hospitalized |
| Isaac Newton | Individual | Alchemical experiments | Mental decline (suspected) |
| Karen Wetterhahn | Individual | Dimethylmercury skin exposure | Death; lab safety reforms |
| Hat Makers | Chronic occupational | Mercury nitrate in felt | Tremors, hallucinations, "madness" |
| Traditional Medicines | Chronic cultural | Mercury in creams/remedies | Chronic toxicity in vulnerable populations |
Caused by methylmercury dumped by the Chisso Corporation into Minamata Bay. Thousands developed neurological damage, including paralysis, blindness, birth defects, and death.
Another methylmercury disaster in the Agano River. Hundreds were affected, confirming the dangers of organic mercury.
Methylmercury-treated seed grain from Mexico and the U.S. was mistakenly eaten as food. Over 6,500 hospitalizations and at least 459 deaths occurred.
Possibly suffered mercury poisoning from alchemical experiments. Hair analysis revealed elevated mercury levels.
Renowned chemistry professor who died from skin exposure to dimethylmercury. Her death changed lab safety standards globally.
Chronic exposure to mercury nitrate in felt hat production led to tremors, hallucinations, and emotional instability. Inspired the phrase “mad as a hatter.”
Mercury compounds have been used in skin-lightening creams and folk remedies, leading to chronic toxicity especially in children and women.