2. BHOPAL
DISASTER
A huge cloud of
poisonous gas 500
times more toxic than
cyanide spewed from a
factory belonging to
Union Carbide
Corporation.
3. DECEMBER 3RD, 1984
Workers at a Union Carbide chemical plant in Bhopal
were flushing pipes with clean water. Water entered a
tank filled with methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, a gas
used in the production of pesticides. The water set off a
chemical reaction which caused pressure to rise inside
the tank, forcing workers to vent the tank before it
exploded, and a large quantity of the lethal gas was
released into Bhopal. It also became apparent that
other gases in addition to MIC were released, including
phosgene and hydrogen cyanide.
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4. DEATHS
estimated two to eight
thousand people were killed
within a few days
Most of them suffocated
from gas
inhalation, experiencing
painful respiratory
symptoms, eye pain, and
brain swelling before death.
It is estimated that an
additional eight thousand
people died of the effects of
prolonged gas exposure in the
years following the Bhopal
Disaster, and up to 100,000
more may be affected with a
variety of conditions including
chronic respiratory
conditions, birth
defects, neurological
problems, depressed immune
systems, and cardiac
malfunction
5. ACCIDENT?
Independent investigation
by (engineering consulting
firm) Arthur D. Little
determined that the water
could only have been
introduced into the tank
deliberately, since process
safety systems -- in place
and operational -- would
have prevented water from
entering the tank by
accident.
6. Union Carbide
• Paid settlements to the citizens of Bhopal
• About $370-$533 a person estimating around $470
million total
• Government of India wanted to charge the CEO of the
company with homicide and grievous assault
• A warrant was issued for his arrest
7. TODAY
Site of the disaster is still
heavily contaminated
with poisoned soil and
groundwater which is a
health threat to the
citizens of the area.
More than 20,000 people
still live in the vicinity of the
factory and are exposed to
toxic chemicals through
groundwater and soil
contamination. A whole new
generation continues to get
sick, from cancer and birth
defects to everyday impacts
of aches and
pains, rashes, fevers, eruptio
ns of
boils, headaches, nausea, lac
k of appetite, dizziness, and
constant exhaustion
8.
9. WHAT DID THEY DO TO HELP?
Union carbide cleaned up and sold their company in
1994. they changed their name to Eveready Industries
and continued clean up until 1998.
Paid settlements to victims and acquired a medical
insurance policy to cover 100,000 people who might
later develop symptoms shown to have resulted from
being exposed during the gas release
