On December 3rd, 1984 in Bhopal, India, a leak of approximately 27 tons of methyl isocyanate gas from a Union Carbide pesticide plant exposed over 500,000 people. Within 48 hours, 2,500 people died from exposure and over 85,000 were severely affected. To this day, over 20,000 have died and 120,000 continue to suffer devastating health effects such as respiratory disorders, cancer, and reproductive hazards as a result of the leak.

2. Occurrence: 3rd December 1984.
Place of occurrence: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Company: Union Carbide Corporation.
Chemical: Methyl Isocyanate (27 tons)

3. EFFECTS ON HHEEAALLTTHH OOFF BBHHOOPPAALL GGAASS
DDIISSAASSTTEERR
 NIGHT OF TRAGEDY - 2 & 3 DEC 1984
 CULPRIT - UNION CARBIDE FACTORY
STAINLESS STEEL TANK
NO :610 , HAD 42 TONS OF
LIQUID METHYL ISOCYNATE.

SUFFERINGS - 2500 DEATHS IN 48 HOURS
 85000 AFFECTED
 5 Lac EXPOSED
 PLANTS , ANIMALS
INCLUDING FISHES

4. Among the 500,000 people exposed to tthhee ggaass,, 2200,,000000 hhaavvee ddiieedd ttiillll
ddaattee aanndd 112200,,000000 ccoonnttiinnuuee ttoo ssuuffffeerr ddeevvaassttaattiinngg hheeaalltthh eeffffeeccttss aass aa
rreessuulltt ooff tthheeiirr eexxppoossuurree..

5. Bhopal Scenario
Union Carbide Corporation

6.  Started in 1969 in bhopal
 Phosgene, Monomethlyamine, Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) and the pesticide
Carbaryl, also known as Sevin.

8.  Respiratory Disorders – Irritation to the lungs, causing coughing and/or
shortness of breathing. Higher exposure caused build up of fluids (pulmonary
edema). Caused Asthama.
 Cancer Hazard – Caused mutation (genetic changes). It caused cancer.
 Reproductive Hazard – Association between exposure to Methyl Isocyanate
and miscarriages. It may damage the growing fetus.May also affect fertility in
men and women.
 Traces of many toxins were found in the Brest Milk of mothers and were
inturn transmitted to the recepient babies.

9. Animal Slaughter

10.  Methyl Isocyanate is on the Hazardous Substances List and is regulated by
OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, EPA and others.
 Is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is flammable and
reactive.

11. 20,000 KILLED
120,000 SEVERELY AFFECTED
…And you thought only weapons
could cause Mass Destruction