bhopal gas tragedy details are there, its a disaster

1. International Dimensions of Ethics
Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE
Case Study:
The Bhopal Plant Disaster
• Massive toxic gas leak from Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL)
chemical plant at Bhopal in December, 1984.
• Thousands killed and hundreds of thousands injured by 40 ton
release of methyl isocyanate (MIC).
• Caused by unsafe conditions and series of failures in poorly
maintained and understaffed plant.

2. International Dimensions of Ethics
Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE
Some Context:
• The Bhopal Plant
– Built in late 1960’s to process pesticides
– Expanded in 1970’s to add production capability
– Production cut in 1980’s due to market forces and decision to sell plant
• Ownership and Operation
– Union Carbide owned controlling share (50.9%) of UCIL
– Plant managed and staffed locally by UCIL
• Climate
– Plant initially welcomed at Bhopal for its economic potential
– Located 2 miles from city center; surrounding population expanded
significantly between construction and disaster
– Government classified plant as “general” (not “hazardous”) industry in
1976, even after approving MIC-based processes at plant and
establishing a “hazardous industry” zone 15 miles from city

3. International Dimensions of Ethics
Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE
The Disaster: Contributing Factors
Human Error
– Critical isolation valve not closed before pipes were flushed with water,
causing the fatal pressurization of tank containing MIC.
– Flare for flame neutralization of escaping gas was shut down
Inadequate Safety Equipment
– Reach of sprayer for water neutralization of escaping gas was
inadequate. Plant managers were aware of deficiency.
– Flare system lacked capacity for major gas leak.
Failure of Safety Equipment
– Stack scrubber, activated by operator during leak, failed.
Poor Maintenance
– Tank refrigerators inoperable; had been drained of freon
– Blockage in pipes meant to drain water that pressurized tank

4. International Dimensions of Ethics
Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE
The Disaster: Contributing Factors (cont.)
Inadequate Staffing
– Union-Carbide-trained supervisors had left Bhopal by 1984
– Staffing in MIC unit had been cut below half of recommended level
– Second-shift maintenance supervisor position eliminated weeks before
disaster
Lack of Evacuation Plans
– Visiting Union Carbide engineers repeatedly stressed need for a plan to
alert and evacuate population in the event of a gas leak
– UCIL claimed to have developed such plans
– City and state officials claimed no knowledge of such plans
Inadequate Response
– Warning siren activated upon leak, but only for a few minutes
– Public response panicked, evacuation slow and uncoordinated
– Response of medical workers hampered by lack of info about MIC

5. International Dimensions of Ethics
Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE
Ethical Dimensions: Discussion
• What are the ethical dimensions of the Bhopal case?
• Who are the stakeholders, and what were their ethical
responsibilities?
• Which ethical dimensions arise from, or are complicated
by, the international nature of the case?
Consider international dimensions via…

6. International Dimensions of Ethics
Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE
Analysis of International Dimensions
Recall Framework
• Apply ethics prevailing in the society where activity
occurs no matter who does it.
• Apply ethics of own society to all activities of its
members wherever the activity occurs
• Develop ethical principles and rules common to all
societies where the scientific or engineering work
occurs.