Bhopal Chemical Disaster

The Bhopal chemical disaster on the night of 3 December 1984 was one of the most tragic chemical disasters in history. Over 500,000 people were exposed to the toxic gas methyl isocyanate, used for the production of pesticides, which leaked from tanks at the Union Carbide Corporation’s chemical plant. The incident was the result of numerous failures, primarily of water leaking into the tank containing the toxic gas. Official numbers vary between 2,259 who died instantly after the incident and over 20,000 who died from the direct consequences of the toxic gas leak. Most of the victims lived in the highly populated slum colony adjacent to the plant. In 1989 Union Carbide was obliged by the Indian Supreme Court to pay $470 Million to the Indian government, of which the victims received an average of $400. In 2010, eight managers were held accountable for causing death by negligence; they received a two year suspended sentence and a fine of about $2,000 each. The company failed to completely clean up the industrial site or to take full responsibility for the accident. In 1998, the State government of Madhya Pradesh took over the site. No additional major cleaning efforts were made. Over 20,000 people living close to the factory are still exposed to about 350 tons of toxic chemicals, contaminating the soil and groundwater. As a result, today’s generation continues to suffer from the consequences (cancer, birth defects, rashes, fevers, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and constant exhaustion). The accident and the response to it demonstrate the existence of double standards for developing countries, especially when it comes to environmental pollution and health security.

Contributed by Miriam Kronester
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany