Where did the dreadful disaster of MIC happen in India?a)Mumbaib)Benga...
It happened on the night of 2nd and 3rd December, 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. More than 500,000 individuals were presented to methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and different chemicals. The harmful substance advanced into and around the shanty towns situated close to the plant.
Where did the dreadful disaster of MIC happen in India?a)Mumbaib)Benga...
The dreadful disaster of MIC (methyl isocyanate) happened in Bhopal, India. Bhopal is the capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Let's explore the details of this tragic event.
Historical Background:
- The disaster took place on the night of December 2-3, 1984, at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal.
- UCIL was a subsidiary of the American multinational company, Union Carbide Corporation (UCC).
- The plant produced pesticides, including the highly toxic chemical, methyl isocyanate (MIC).
Causes of the Disaster:
- The disaster occurred due to a combination of factors, including poor maintenance, inadequate safety measures, and human error.
- Water entered a storage tank containing around 42 tons of MIC due to a malfunctioning cooling system.
- The water triggered a violent chemical reaction, leading to the release of a large amount of toxic gas into the atmosphere.
Immediate Impact:
- The gas leak affected the nearby residential areas, exposing thousands of people to the deadly gas.
- The gas, which is heavier than air, settled close to the ground, causing widespread suffocation, respiratory problems, and other health issues.
- The immediate impact of the disaster resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and the injury of countless others.
Long-Term Consequences:
- The disaster had long-term consequences on the health and well-being of the affected individuals.
- Many survivors suffered from chronic health problems, including respiratory disorders, eye problems, and neurological disorders.
- The toxic gases also caused genetic mutations, leading to birth defects in subsequent generations.
Legal and Environmental Consequences:
- The disaster prompted legal actions against UCC and UCIL.
- In 1989, UCC and the Indian government reached a settlement for $470 million, which was widely criticized as inadequate for the magnitude of the disaster.
- The site of the plant remains contaminated, posing ongoing environmental and health risks for the surrounding communities.
Conclusion:
The dreadful disaster of MIC occurred in Bhopal, India, at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant. This tragic event resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and had severe long-term consequences for the affected individuals and the environment. The disaster highlighted the need for stringent safety measures and corporate accountability in industrial operations.