Minamata Convention, History, Area Covered, Features

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global agreement adopted in 2013 to protect people and the environment from mercury pollution. It is named after Minamata Bay in Japan, where mercury poisoning caused serious health problems, known as Minamata disease.

Minamata Convention

• The Minamata Convention is an international agreement that aims to reduce mercury pollution over time, especially from human activities that release large amounts of mercury into the environment.
• It also controls the trade and movement of mercury between countries, so that mercury is not freely sold or transported across borders.
• The Convention does not cover mercury released naturally, such as from volcanoes; it mainly focuses on human-made pollution.
• It came into force in August 2017, and the first Conference of the Parties (COP-1) was held in September 2017 in Geneva.
• Since then, member countries have been working together to limit mercury supply, reduce its use, control emissions, spread public awareness and build systems to manage mercury safely.
• At present, more than 130 countries are part of the Convention, showing wide global support.
• The Convention bans new mercury mines, plans to close existing ones, and reduces mercury use in products, industries, and gold mining, especially small-scale gold mining.
• It also deals with safe storage and disposal of mercury waste, cleaning up mercury-polluted sites, and protecting human health.

Minamata Disease

• It is a serious neurological condition caused by mercury (methylmercury) poisoning from industrial pollution, affecting the brain and nervous system.
• It was first identified in 1956 in Minamata, Japan, a fishing town where a chemical factory discharged mercury into the sea.
• It was caused when people consumed contaminated fish and shellfish, which carried methylmercury, leading to poisoning.
• The symptoms include numbness in hands and feet, muscle weakness, tremors, loss of vision and hearing.
• In severe cases it can cause coma, paralysis, insanity, or death. Fetuses exposed in the womb can develop congenital Minamata disease or cerebral palsy.
• It was the first disease linked directly to industrial water pollution, raising worldwide awareness about environmental and public health hazards.
• Over decades, thousands were affected; chronic cases increased gradually, with more than 1000 deaths officially recorded among recognized patients.

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Minamata Convention History

• In the 1950s, serious mercury poisoning was first noticed in Minamata, Japan, where people fell ill after eating fish contaminated by industrial waste.
• This tragedy, later called Minamata Disease, made the world aware of the dangers of mercury.
• In 2001, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) began studying the harmful effects of mercury on health and the environment.
• By 2003, countries agreed that strong global action was needed to control mercury pollution.
• Between 2005 and 2007, UNEP launched global efforts to reduce mercury use and emissions.
• In 2009, an international committee was formed to draft a legally binding agreement on mercury.
• After several meetings, the Minamata Convention was adopted in 2013 in Japan.
• The Convention came into force in 2017, and many countries, including India, joined to protect people and the environment from mercury pollution.

Areas Covered Under Minamata Convention

• Mercury Supply & Trade 
  • Controls mining, storage, and international trade of mercury.
• Mercury-Added Product
  • Bans mercury in batteries, lamps, cosmetics, measuring devices and reduces dental amalgam use.
• Cosmetics
  • Prohibits mercury in cosmetics and tackles illegal production.
• Industrial Processes
  • Limits mercury use in industries like chlorine, caustic soda and acetaldehyde production.
• Artisanal & Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) 
  • Reduces and eventually eliminates mercury use in small-scale gold mining.
• Air Emissions 
  • Controls mercury emissions from coal plants and industries using best available technology.
• Land & Water Pollution 
  • Regulates mercury release into soil and water and promotes safe industrial practices.
• Mercury Storage
  • Ensures safe temporary storage to prevent leaks and health hazards.
• Mercury Waste Management
  •  Promotes environmentally safe disposal and restricts cross-border movement of mercury waste.
• Contaminated Sites & Biodiversity 
  • Identifies and manages polluted sites and protects ecosystems and biodiversity.

Minamata Convention Features

• The Convention aims to stop mercury mining completely, so that no new sources of mercury pollution are created.
• It works to phase out mercury use in everyday products and factories, replacing it with safer alternatives.
• Strong rules are made to reduce mercury pollution in air, water and soil, especially from industries.
• A major focus is on small-scale gold mining, where mercury is often misused, by promoting safer methods.
• It gives guidance for safe storage, disposal and treatment of mercury waste and polluted areas.
• Protecting human health, especially children and pregnant women, is a key goal of the Convention.
• Countries that join the Convention, including India, must legally follow these rules.
• Financial and technical help is provided to developing countries through international funds like Global Environment Facility(GEF).
• The Conference of Parties (COP) meets regularly to review progress and improve implementation.
• Overall, the Convention supports sustainable development by balancing environmental protection with global cooperation.

About Mercury

• Mercury(Hg) is a heavy, shiny, silver-coloured metal, with atomic number 80.
• It is unique because it remains in liquid form at room temperature.
• It can conduct heat and electricity, which made it useful in scientific instruments earlier.
• Mercury can be poisonous even in small quantities to living beings.
• Mercury is found naturally in the Earth’s crust.
• The World Health Organization lists it among the most harmful chemicals and is considered highly dangerous to human health and the environment.

Mercury Sources

Natural Sources

• Volcanic eruptions 
• Weathering and erosion of rocks and soil and from oceans.

Human-made (Anthropogenic) Sources

• Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is the biggest source of mercury release.
• Burning of coal and fossil fuels.
• Industries like cement production, metal processing and chemical factories emit mercury.
• Improper disposal of electronic waste.

Why is Mercury Harmful?

• Mercury is highly toxic, and even very small exposure can seriously harm human health.
• Mercury occurs naturally, but human activities have increased its spread, allowing it to travel through air and water across countries, polluting soil, water and ecosystems far from the source.
• In water, mercury changes into methylmercury, which is more poisonous and easily enters the food chain. It builds up in fish and seafood and humans are exposed by eating contaminated food.
• Mercury mainly damages the brain and nervous system, causing permanent problems like memory loss, learning difficulties and speech issues, especially in children and unborn babies.
• It also affects other organs such as the kidneys, lungs, skin, eyes and immune system, leading to long-term health problems.
• Even very small amounts of mercury are unsafe and scientists say there is no completely safe level of exposure.