The Bhopal Disaster
6. Read about one of the worst disasters involving the chemical industry and answer the questions below.
Considering the potentially dangerous materials and processes employed in the chemical sector, disaster is a rarity in the chemical industry, but negligence or misfortune can easily result in devastating consequences, such as loss of lives, a threat to the environment or the destruction of plants and surrounding buildings.
On December 3, 1984, in the city of Bhopal, India, about 45 tons of the dangerous gas methyl isocyanate escaped from a pesticide plant that was owned by the Indian subsidiary of the American firm Union Carbide Corporation. The gas drifted over the densely populated neighborhoods during the early hours of the morning while the local residents were sleeping. It killed thousands of people immediately and created a panic as tens of thousands of others attempted to leave the city. The victims were estimated to be between 15,000 and 20,000.
Still today, about half a million survivors continue to suffer from many diseases, including respiratory problems, eye irritation or blindness, cancer and lung problems, caused by the inhalation of the poisonous gas. However, many were only awarded compensation of a few hundred dollars. Later, investigations discovered that substandard operating and safety procedures, and lack of staff at the plant had led to the catastrophe.
In the early 21st century, more than 400 tons of industrial waste were still present on the site. Despite continued protests, neither the Dow Chemical Company, which had bought the Union Carbide Corporation in 2001, nor the Indian government has ever cleaned up the site properly. Soil and water contamination in the area have caused chronic health problems and birth defects among the local population.
In 2004, the Indian Supreme Court ordered the State to supply clean drinking water to the residents of Bhopal because of groundwater contamination. In 2010, eight former executives of Union Carbide Corporation subsidiary were found guilty of “death by negligence” by a Bhopal court and sentenced to two years' imprisonment and a fine of about $2,000 each.
It is clear that the Bhopal tragedy was created by a total absence of ethical responsibility. At least, this horrendous event produced new laws and safety systems in India and made warning bells sound in the rest of the world.
GLOSSARY
awarded: officially given
blindness: inability to see
to drift: to move slowly
executive: manager of a company
firm: a company or business
former: preceding
lack: absence
lung: organ in the chest that you use for breathing
misfortune: bad luck
neighborhood: surrounding area
plant: a factory in which machines are used
subsidiary: a company owned by a larger company
substandard: below a satisfactory level
- Do disasters frequently occur in the chemical industry?
- What are the immediate results of such disasters?
- Was Bhopal plant owned by an Indian-based company?
- Why do you think so many people were immediately killed by the toxic gas?
- What were the main consequences for the ones who survived?
- What were the consequences for the environment?
- Was the area immediately cleaned up?
- According to investigations, what was the accident due to?
- What was the 2010 Bhopal court’s verdict?
- What did the tragedy produce at least?