Question

Case study: Bophal disaster. Research and write a detailed report on the disaster and some of the key lessons from this inciden

Answer 1

1. Bhopal gas tragedy( Bhopal disaster) was a gas leak incident in India and considered as world's worst disaster.
2. It was occurred on night on 2^nd & 3^rd December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), a pesticide plant in Bhopal ( Madhya Pradesh).
3. A leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and other chemicals from plant resulted exposures of thousands of people.
4. During the night of 2-3 December 1984, water entered tank containing 40-45 tons of MIC.
5. The resulting exothermic reaction increased the temperature inside the tank to about 180-190°C and thus pressure raised.
6. About 40 tons of methyl isocyanate escaped from tank into atmosphere within 30-45 minutes.
7. The government of Madhya Pradesh confirmed a total of 3787 deaths due to gas leak.
8. The leak caused 558125 injures including 38470 partially and 3900 (approx.) permanent disabled injures & near about 2300 animals were harmed.
9. Apart from MIC many gases such as phosgene, hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, monomethyl amine, etc.
10. This results in burning in respiratory track and eyes, breathelessness, stomach pain , vomiting,etc.

Factors that lead to gas leak -

1. Storing of MIC in large tank beyond it's recommend level.
2. Poor Maintenance.
3. Water and MIC contact was not aware to workers.
4. Plant location near to densely populated area.
5. Lack of safety devices.
6. In 1980s the demand of pesticide was fallen but continued to production rate leading to buildup of stores of unused MIC.