The document summarizes the Bhopal gas tragedy that occurred in 1984 at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India. Over 25,000 people died and 558,125 were injured after a leak of methyl isocyanate gas from the plant. The gas tragedy was caused by poor safety systems at the plant, including failures of the vent gas scrubber and flare tower, and a lack of proper safety training and awareness about the dangers of methyl isocyanate.

1. BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY
Gaurav Singh Rajput
SOE, CUSAT
@gauravkrsrajput

2. OVERVIEW
UNION CARBIDE INDIA LIMITED(UCIL)
PESTICIDE PLANT IN BHOPAL,MP.
2nd & 3rd DECEMBER 1984
LEAK OF METHYL ISOCYNATE
25,000 DIED
5,58,125 INJURED

3. PROCESS
• Methlyamine rea
cts with Phosgene
producing Methyl
Isocyanate (MIC)
which reacts with
1-Naphthol to pr
oduce pesticide C
arbaryl, also kno
wn as Sevin.

4. METHYL ISOCYNATE
• Liquid form, Volatile
• Colourless
• Strong, sharp odour
• Flash Point – -7oC
• Molecular weight: 57.05 daltons
• Boiling point (760 mm Hg): 102ºF (39.1ºC)
• Freezing point: -49ºF
• Vapor pressure: 348 mm Hg at 68ºF (20ºC)
• Vapor density: 1.42 (air = 1.00)
• Water solubility: Reactive 6.7% at 68ºF (20ºC)
• Flammability: Highly flammable
• Flammable Range: 5.3% to 26% (concentration in air)

5. • Night of 2nd December 1984
• Water entered Tank E610 containg 42 tonnes
of MIC
• EXOTHERMIC REACTION

6. Toxic Materials in Soil and Water

7. CAUSES
•OVERSTORAGE
•POOR MAINTENANCE
•DENSELY POPULATED AREAS
•FAILURE OF SAFETY SYSTEMS
•LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT MIC
•LACK OF SAFETY TRAINING

8. VENT GAS SCRUBBER WAS SHUT
DOWN
FLARE TOWER PIPE WAS CORRO
DED
MIC REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WA
S NOT FUNCTIONING.
SINGLE MANUAL BACKUP SYSTE
M.

9. Gas Vent Scrubber Gas Vent Scrubber Stack

10. AFFECTED AREA