Japans Ominous Dancing Cats and the Disaster That Followed

In the 1950s, Minamata, Japan, was an idyllic place until mercury contamination from the Chisso Corporation's chemical plant led to severe health issues. Mercury was transformed into toxic methylmercury by bacteria, entering the food chain and causing Minamata disease. The disease affected both animals and humans, leading to severe symptoms and birth defects. Despite the discovery of the cause in 1959, it took until 1968 for Chisso to stop dumping waste. Cleanup efforts began in 1977, but the impact on Minamata's reputation was lasting.

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