Minimata Disease (5)

Scientists discovered, however, that bacteria living in the sediments were able to convert metallic mercury into soluble methyl mercury, which was absorbed from the water and concentrated in the tissues of aquatic organisms. People who ate fish and shellfish from the Bay were exposed to dangerously high levels of this toxic chemical. Altogether, more than 3,500 people were affected and about fifty died of what became known as Minamata disease.