Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Minimata Disease

 In 1908 the Chisso factory was opened in Minimata Japan, the factory produced mainly fertilizers. It was one of the most advanced factories in all of Japan at the time. In 1932 the factory started producing acetaldehyde, producing 510 tons that year, in 1951 6,000 tons, 50% of Japans total output. Little did the people know that the factory was draining all its contaminated waste water in the Minimata Bay, poising the water and fish. The town of Minimata relied heavily on fish, but the fish were contaminated with mercury. The people ate the fish not knowing that the fish contained heavy amounts of mercury, causing severe nervous damage, uncontrollable muscle movements and death, Researchers were shocked at how much mercury was found in the fish, the government later banned fishing in the bay. On October 21, 1959 The Chisso plant was ordered to install a water purification and on December 19 a special ceremony was held, the President of the Chisso plant drank a glass of water that was supposedly "clean" but in fact it was still heavily contaminated. as of 2001 over 2, 265 people have been effected, 1, 784 of them had died.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Canadian Identity

 What makes us Canadian is our multicultuaral society, kindness, and equality. We have a cultural mosiac which means our culture is widely displayed with pride, unlike the United States. Cultures are accepted into mainstream society and everybody is accepted for who they are and is kind and fair. as a Canadian we get out and experience our beautiful geography. We are a peaceful country in which our army are peacekeepers aiding in international problems, and Canada became a country without a revolution. we have a vast programs for immagrints, we also have free health care and many programs to support new Canadians.