Course:EOSC311/2023/Investigating the Long-Term Effects of Mercury in Drinking Water within Grassy Narrows Indigenous Community

From UBC Wiki

Introduction

Mercury is a geological element that is used for thermostats, lightbulbs, and automotive switches [1]. However, in some cases, mercury can affect individuals through mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning has developmental effects that affect individuals if they are exposed to it for a long period of time. For instance, community members within the Grassy Narrows have been impacted for over 20 years. Exposure to mercury has found to have impacts on health which lead to psychological and developmental impacts. For example, neurological impacts such as Ataxia, Minamata disease, numbness and dysfunction in motor function are common symptoms of those exposed to long term exposure to mercury[2]. In utero, it affects infants such as their cognitive abilities, motor skills and hitting milestones such as language development[1].

Mercury has contaminated the water surrounding the Grassy Narrows community. In the 1960s a paper mill called Dryden Paper Mill dumped 10 tonnes of mercury into the Wabigoon River.[3] The marine life within the water was impacted and contained high levels of mercury. The community in Grassy Narrows are dependent on the fish and the Wabigoon River is a huge part of their culture[3].

Grassy Narrows

Grassy Narrows location and surrounding river system

Grassy Narrow also known as Asubpeeschoseewagong is an indigenous community located in Ontario. The community is surrounded by river system called the Wabigoon River [4]. The Grassy Narrows is known to fish along the river system and is surrounded by water[3]. The land and ocean systems are integral to their community. However, for over sixty years, generations of the indigenous community continue to suffer the impacts of the contaminated water system. Based on the figure, the contamination of mercury traveled upstream to the major river system, Wabigoon River. For over 15 years, Grassy Narrows has been under a drinking water advisory.

Origins of Mercury and its uses

There are three forms of Mercury such as its natural form and its inorganic form[5].

  • Inorganic mercury is the byproduct of a mix of other chemicals like sulfur and oxygen that react with mercury [6]. Inorganic mercury is most commonly found in factories.
    • Common symptoms of inorganic mercury poisoning are:
      • In regular consumption it erodes the digestive system[6].
      • There are similarities in the symptoms between inorganic mercury poisoning and Methylmercury poisoning such as neurological impacts, and skin reactions [6].
  • Methylmercury
    • Methylmercury is a very toxic mercury compound. Methylmercury is a common air and water pollutant[7]. Methylmercury poisoning is found in Grassy Narrows.
      • Common symptoms of methylmercury poisoning are:
        • When mercury pollutants are found in the air as mercury vapor, it impacts breathing problems and can cause long term lung damage [6].
  • Elemental Mercury
    • Elemental mercury is mercury in its purest form as it is not mixed with other chemicals. In room temperature, mercury is a liquid [1]. Elemental mercury is also known as metallic for its shiny appearance. Historically, elemental mercury has been used in thermometers, lightbulbs and in electrical work and in mining[1].

Long-Term Effects of Mercury Poisoning in Grassy Narrows Indigenous Community

Health risks imposed by mercury poisoning

Mercury poisoning is unavoidable when the water, food and the inaction of government resources continue to persist. When mercury is consumed, the effects do not go away. Continuous digestion of mercury contaminated foods and the drinking water has posed long term health risks. While boil water advisories have been in place since the early 2000s, it is unavoidable to live comfortably. The cost of buying bottled water is expensive[3]. Yet, people living in Grassy Narrows are under financial strain as many people rely on fishing as their main source of income. Grassy Narrows continuously have to live in these conditions, generations of indigenous people since the 1960s have been exposed to mercury. The level of mercury in the water in 1970 was as high as 27.8 ppm.[8] In hair samples examined in residents of Grassy Narrows, mercury levels as high as 95.8 ppm was recorded.

Majority of reported health impacts are respiratory and neurological dysfunction. Mercury poisoning deteriorates neurological functions such as memory, ataxia which is known as loss of motor function in legs, arms and fine motor skills in the hands [3]. Mercury poisoning can also lead to Minamata disease which occurs when individuals consume contaminated methylmercury shellfish. With high levels of mercury in the river system, fish that inhabit the Wabigoon River were deemed too dangerous to eat[3]. In one case, an indigenous community member reported that their ears were always ringing which reflects auditory dysfunction which is also known as ataxia[9]. Similarly to inorganic mercury poisoning, it impacts organs such as kidneys due to the contaminated food and drinking water. The life expectancy in Grassy Narrows is severely impacted due to mercury poisoning which is reflected by the low numbers of indigenous elders [2]. Mercury poisoning affects prenatal development, fetuses are exposed to mercury when their mothers consume contaminated fish or drink the contaminated water[3]. As a result, it hinders developmental and behavioral milestones that infants should achieve. Infants and fetuses are the most vulnerable population when exposed to mercury. Considering exposure to mercury in utero, generations of indigenous people are still continuing to live with the impacts of the mercury contamination from the 1960s.

Minamata disease is a significant concern surrounding the crisis in Grassy Narrows. This disease does not go away and changes the quality of life for individuals that have this disease. The Minister of Energy and Natural Resource Management and Dryden Paper Mill underestimated the severe impacts of mercury dumping would have along the river system[10]. The mercury poisoning was not initially reported an outbreak by the Mercury Disability Board as an outbreak of Minamata disease[8]. Minamata disease was first discovered in Japan when methylmercury contaminated the drinking water in Minamata, Japan[10]. Criteria of symptoms of Minamata disease follows as: problems in sensory functions (visual, auditory, touch), ataxia, tremors and speech[10]. Research has shown that symptoms of Minamata disease progressed in severity as individuals aged[8]. The most common symptoms were sensory complaints such as numbness in hands and feet[8]. Other symptoms of tremors, auditory, fine motor skills and impairments in gait have been found in research participants[8]. However, neurological symptoms are the most concerning issue. Emphasised are impairments in speech, ataxia, visual deficits and balance[8]. Sensory impairments have been correlated to neurological impacts related to mercury poisoning[8].

Number of drinking water advisories impacting indigenous communities across Canada.

What are Drinking Water Advisories?

Drinking water advisories are announced for various reasons. In many cases, industry, infrastructure issues that leak into the drinking water are the most common causes for drinking water advisories to be in place[11]. However, the number of drinking water advisories are disproportionate between indigenous communities and metropolitan cities. This may be due to the lack of proper water lines, infrastructure that has not been implemented into indigenous communities as many of them are in remote locations.

There are 3 types of boil water advisories: Do not consume, Do not use and boil water[12].

  • Boil water advisory are used when they must boil tap water before consumption
  • Do not consume advisory are used when bottled water must be used in place of tap water for purposes of hygiene and cooking (taking a shower, brushing teeth, drinking, cooking)
  • Do not use advisory is the highest level among the three advisories; do not use for whatever reason as the water consumption/use in this case is dangerous.

Grassy Narrows would fall in the do not use advisory as the levels of mercury in the water has posed health risks that lead to long term brain, motor and developmental issues.

Grassy Narrows Now

The boil water advisory has been lifted since 2021[13]. The community’s new water treatment system is in place and the water in Grassy Narrows is safe to drink[13]. However, there are still water advisories across Canada which have negatively impacted remote indigenous communities. Grassy Narrows secured funding of $68.9 million will go towards a Mercury Care Home which has opened in 2023 that offers patient care for Grassy Narrows residents who are suffering symptoms of mercury poisoning[14]. It is estimated that 90% of the population in Grassy Narrows exhibit mercury poisoning symptoms[14]. However, the lasting impact, devastating losses within the community does not change the fact that the government’s inaction for over 60 years has not gone unnoticed.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 EPA, US (December 21 2022). "Basic Information about Mercury". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved June 17 2023. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gilson, Shelby (July 29 2019). "'My Ears Keep Ringing All the Time': Mercury Poisoning Among Grassy Narrows First Nation". Pulitzer Center. Retrieved June 17 2023. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Kabatay, Jasmine (March 17 2022). estimated%2090%20 per "New study adds to body of proof connecting mercury poisoning to health issues in Grassy Narrows" Check |url= value (help). CBC News. Retrieved June 17 2023. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)
  4. ↑ Broten, Delores; Gilmore, Claire (January 19 2017). "The Story of Grassy Narrows". Watershed Sentinel. Retrieved June 17 2023. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)
  5. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/mercury-chemical-element
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/pdf/Mercury_FactSheet.pdf
  7. ↑ EPA, US (March 28 2023). "Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved June 17 2023. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Harada, M.; Oorui, T.; al., et (April 2005). "Followup Study of Mercury Pollution in Indigenous Tribe Reservations in the Province of Ontario, Canada, 1975–2002". Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 74: 689–697 – via Springer Link.
  9. ↑ Porter, Jody. "Children of the Poisoned River". CBC News. Retrieved June 17 2023. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Mosa, Adam; Duffin, Jacalyn (February 6 2017). "The Interwoven History of Mercury Poisoning in Ontario and Japan". National Library of Medicine. Retrieved June 21 2023. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)
  11. ↑ "Drinking Water Advisories". First Nations Health Authority. ​FNHA Environmental Health. Retrieved June 20 2023. zero width space character in |publisher= at position 1 (help); Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  12. ↑ "Boil water advisories". Government of Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). June 29 2022. Retrieved June 17 2023. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Turner, Logan (October 3 2020). "Two Long-Term Water Advisories Lifted in Ontario First Nations as Feds Approach 2021 Deadline". CBC News. Retrieved June 18 2023. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Grassy Narrows to Get $68.9M More From Ottawa for Centre to Care for People with Mercury Poisoning". CBC News. July 26 2021. Retrieved June 21 2023. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help)


Earth from space, hurricane.jpg
 This Earth Science resource was created by Course:EOSC311.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.ubc.ca/index.php?title=Course:EOSC311/2023/Investigating_the_Long-Term_Effects_of_Mercury_in_Drinking_Water_within_Grassy_Narrows_Indigenous_Community&oldid=756326"