Bhopal’s Everlasting Sickness
In the morning of December 3, 1984, the people of Bhopal in the state of Madhya
Pradesh woke up to an abominable day, while others did not wake up at all. A holding tank of
Carbon Dioxide leaked, more than 40 tons of the toxic gas. Most residents that breathed in the poisonous gas during their sleep died instantly, others were lucky enough to get away. Bhopal, a city once known for its jungles, glistening lakes and the resplendent TajulMasjid, one of India's biggest mosques, is better known now as the city of poison. A generation after history's deadliest industrial disaster, Bhopal's slum dwellers say they continue to suffer from the effects of the toxins of Union Carbide, an American firm that is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow
Chemical Co. The after damage was tremendous and still happening today, that’s why Bhopal’ gas disaster was the most tragic, costly, and deadliest industrial disaster ever. (Hadida 1)
While most of the one million residents of Bhopal slept, an operator at the plant noticed a small leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and increasing pressure inside a storage tank. The ventgas scrubber, a safety device designer to neutralize toxic discharge from the MIC system, had been turned off three weeks prior. Apparently a faulty valve had allowed one ton of water for cleaning internal pipes to mix with forty tons of MIC. A 30 ton refrigeration unit that normally served as a safety component to cool the MIC storage tank had been drained of its coolant for use in another part of the plant. Pressure and heat from the vigorous exothermic reaction in the tank continued to build. The gas flare safety system was out of action and had been for three months.
At around 1.00 AM, December 3, loud rumbling reverberated around the plant as a safety valve gave way sending a plume of MIC gas into the early morning air. (McPhate 810)
As the gas drifted through the sleeping city, its toxic effects killed an estimated 8,000
people and injured a further 200,000. In the city, many people were sleeping in kuccha houses, which had no proper windows or doors. That fateful night affected thousands of Bhopal residence, and 20 years on the death toll continues to rise. More than 120,000 still suffer from ailments as a result of the disaster and the pollution at the plant site, not to mention the emotional and psychological scars left behind. Some of the aftermath illnesses include blindness, extreme difficulty in breathing and gynaecological disorders(disorders / illnesses that deal with the health of the female reproductive system). In 1999, local ground/well water testing near the site of the accident showed mercury at levels between 20,000 and six million times those expected. Cancer, brain damage and birth defectcausing chemicals were found in the water. (unknown 2024)
With many people still left uncompensated from the affected of the gas, this is a major breach in human rights. After all, an industrial disaster can involve a complexity of violations of civil, political, economic and social rights for generation after generation. There are at least
100,000 people who are suffering from chronic and debilitating illnesses, and most of them haven’t received proper medical treatment or compensation. People in Bhopal are living in poverty face health problems that are shortening their lives and affecting their ability to work.
The site has not been cleaned up so toxic wastes continue to pollute the water which the surrounding communities rely on, obviously causing many issues. The Indian government was also culpable in that it failed to tackle safety problems with the plant, and subsequently negotiated a settlement "without the participation of the victims". (unknown 33)
In a settlement made by the Indian Supreme Court, UCC
