India awaits Minamata* disaster

New Delhi-Dispersion of mercury, an extremely toxic heavy metal into the environment is a major concern in India in particular and the world in general. Although mercury occurs naturally in the environment, human activities cause most mercury releases. India is one of the main hot spots for global and local contamination of mercury.

Although economically viable non-mercury containing substitutes for almost all current applications are available, it continues to be used with exemplary callousness towards the adverse impact on public health and environment.

Despite the toll its takes on human health, it continues to be used in chlor alkali and health care industry besides its use in batteries, fluorescent lamps, thermostat switches, alarm clocks etc. Mercury has some 3,000 industrial uses. Also high emission from thermal power plants is grave concern.

India does not produce any mercury. It imports mercury from European Union, USA, Russia, China etc. Of the stated global demand of mercury of about 3,000 tonnes, India emerges as the single second largest consumer, approximately 250-300 tonnes annually.

Reports indicate that levels of mercury in rivers; coastal waters, soil and food items are way above acceptable levels in India. A National Workshop on "Managing the Demand Cycle of Mercury: Indian and International Perspectives" on 6-7 April 2005 at Gulmohar Hall of the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi would ponder over the urgency the issue deserves. Besides experts from industry, government and civil society, international experts will also share their experiences in managing mercury. The two day workshop aims at persuading the government to take immediate action to either ban or restrict its usage, by making the usage of elemental mercury and mercury compounds expensive and providing incentives for mercury alternatives.

At the end of the concluding session on 7th April, there will be a Press Conference at 3 o’ clock at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

* Minamata is known for its marine life, and is a fishing village in Japan. The Minamata disease put mercury's health effects in the headlines all over the globe. Minamata is a small factory town dominated by the Chisso Corporation. On October 16, 2004, the Supreme Court of Japan ordered the Japan government to pay $703,000 in damages to the Minamata disease victims. The Environment Minister bowed in apology to the plaintiffs. After 22 years, the plaintiffs achieved their goal of making those responsible for Japan's worst case of industrial pollution pay for their negligence. Victims were diagnosed as having a degeneration of their nervous systems. Numbness occurred in their limbs and lips. Their speech became slurred, and their vision constricted. Some people had serious brain damage, while others lapsed into unconsciousness or suffered from involuntary movements. Furthermore, some victims were thought to be crazy when they began to uncontrollably shout. People thought the cats were going insane when they witnessed "suicides" by the cats. No amount of money can ever make up for the lives needlessly lost to Minamata disease.