2. INTRODUCTION
It occurred at 3rd of December
year 1984 sharp in the morning.
Due to leakage of tons of methyl
isocyanate and other harmful
intoxicant gases in one of the tank.
Resulting in death of millions and
more than 500,000 suffers
The Union Carbide plant
3. BACKGROUND AND CAUSES
The Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant was established in 1969 near
Bhopal. The Following points are to be noted for leading the gas leak :-
Economy.
Staff reduced, uneducated.
Poor maintenance of the plant.
Safety rules not followed.
4.
5. UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION
Started in 1969 in bhopal.
Phosgene , Methylyamine , Methyl Isocynate
(MIC) and methyl carbaryl also known as
sevin.
Taken over by dow chemicals in 2001
6. HOW IT HAPPENED?
The tank 610 was containing tons of Methyl
Isocyanate (MIC).
Large amount of water entered the tank while
cleaning out the pipes.
Runway reaction started due to coroison.
Increase in the temperature inside the tank.
The tank then gave off a large
volume of toxic gases forcing the emergency release of
pressure
7. FACTORS LEADING TO GAS LEAK
Use of MIC instead of less toxic but more
expensive materials.
Storing of MIC in large tank instead of several
small tanks.
Inadequate safety system.
The alarm system not addressing the
inhabitants.
Location close to a densely populated area.
11. EFFECTS ON SURROUNDINGS
The ground water around the plant is polluted.
Contamination of soil.
Contaminants found in breast milk.
Lose of consciousness while entering the
area for more than ten minutes.
Genetic disorders.
12. COMPENSATION
UCC agreed to pay Compensation of $500 per dead for people
suffering from life long injuries.
Medical facility and trust fund for future injuries
The Indian government adopted the injury categories Union
Carbide proposed.
13.
14. CONCLUSION
The disaster did pave the way for much stricter international standards for environmental safety, preventative
strategies to avoid similar accidents.
Better understanding of the fact that industries need to apply good process safety management systems and have
efficient and safe handling and storage capacities of individual reactive chemicals.
Environmental awareness and activism in India has increased tremendously.
serves as a warning to developing nations to create the right balance between human, environmental and
economic status on the path to industrialization.