Bhopal Disaster

Ÿ         Who: Union Carbide (pesticide company)

Ÿ         What: 40 tons of methyl iscyanate gas (MIC) leaked into local atmosphere

Ÿ         When: Dec. 1984 – Present

Ÿ         Where: Bhopal, India

The multinational pesticide corporation was trying to create a new market for their carbamate pesticides. When released into air the substance turns into hydrogen cyanide a highly toxic, if not lethal, vapor. From the initial leakage 2,500 people were killed. Many thousands more were affected by the vapors: causing illness or psychological disorders. Illnesses associated with the leaks include: intestinal, respiratory, reproductive and neurological disorders. Thousands more have died since then from related disorders, and in total 800,000 people were exposed to the gas.

Clean-up: The company Union Carbide proposes $470 million for compensation and $100 million to build a hospital for the ill. Plans for cleaning up the area are still being addressed. To date no new plans have been proposed. The gas is still in the local area continually contaminating drinking water.

Interesting fact: The women from this city are unable to marry, because it is assumed that they are sterile. One among many other societal affects of the leak.