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Bhopal gas disaster - dark day in the chemical industry history

The Bhopal gas tragedy is considered as one of the world’s worst industrial disasters.

The Bhopal disaster, also referred to as the Bhopal gas tragedy, was a gas leak incident in India. It occurred on the night of 2-3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The reaction was sped up by the presence of iron from corroding non-stainless steel pipelines.

The resulting exothermic reaction increased the temperature inside the tank to over 200 °C and raised the pressure. This forced the emergency venting of pressure from the methyl isocyanate (MIC) holding tank, releasing a large volume of toxic gases. About 30 metric tonne of MIC was released from the tank into the atmosphere and mixed with the surrounding air to form a gas cloud.

Apart from MIC, the gas cloud might have contained

Phosgene
Hydrogen cyanide
Carbon monoxide
Hydrogen chloride
Oxides of nitrogen
Monomethyl amine and
Carbon dioxide

Harmful effects of methyl isocyanate

Early effects (0–6 months)
Ocular	Chemosis, redness, watering, ulcers, photophobia
Respiratory	Distress, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, pneumothorax
Gastrointestinal	Persistent diarrhea, anorexia, persistent abdominal pain
Genetic	Increased chromosomal abnormalities
Psychological	Neuroses, anxiety states, adjustment reactions

6 months onwards
Ocular	Persistent watering, corneal opacities, chronic conjunctivitis
Respiratory	Obstructive and restrictive airway disease, decreased lung function
Reproductive	Increased pregnancy loss, increased infant mortality, decreased placental/fetal weight
Genetic	Increased chromosomal abnormalities

A recent study conducted by one of India’s leading think-tanks, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), confirmed presence of toxic chemicals in drinking water and said it is slowly poisoning thousands more people.

The CSE report said that samples taken from around the site were found to contain chlorinated benzene compounds and organochlorine pesticides 561 times the national standard.