The Case of Union Carbide
Preview
Amongst the worst Industrial Disasters of its time.
Occurrence: 3rd December 1984.
Place of occurrence: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Company: Union Carbide Corporation.
Chemical: Methyl Isocyanate (27 tons)
Among the 500,000 people exposed to the gas, 20,000 have died till date and 120,000
continue to suffer devastating health effects as a result of their exposure.
Bhopal Scenario
Union Carbide Corporation
Union Carbide Corporation
Started in 1969 in bhopal
Phosgene, Monomethlyamine, Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) and the
pesticide Carbaryl, also known as Sevin.
Taken over by DOW Chemicals in 2001.
DOW refused Union Carbide’s Liabilities in Bhopal, India.
Toxic Materials in Soil and Water
Gas Vent Scrubber Gas Vent Scrubber Stack
Effects on Human Health
Respiratory Disorders – Irritation to the lungs, causing coughing
and/or shortness of breathing. Higher exposure caused build up of
fluids (pulmonary edema). Caused Asthama.
Cancer Hazard – Caused mutation (genetic changes). It caused
cancer.
Reproductive Hazard – Association between exposure to Methyl
Isocyanate and miscarriages. It may damage the growing
fetus.May also affect fertility in men and women.
Traces of many toxins were found in the Brest Milk of mothers and
were inturn transmitted to the recepient babies.
Animal Slaughter
Emergency Information
Hazard Rating
Flammable and Reactive
Poison Inhalation Hazard
Cannot use water
Poisonous Gases are produced in fire
Containers may explode in fire
Chemicals Dumped by Union Carbide in Bhopal
S.No Chemical Amount Use in factory Nature of original pollution
1 Methylene Chloride 100 MT Solvent Air
2 Methanol 50 MT Solvent Air
3 Ortho-idichlorobenzene 500 MT Solvent Air, Water, Soil
4 Carbon tetrachloride 500 MT Solvent Air
5 Chloroform 300 MT Solvent Air
6 Tri methylamine 50 MT Catalyst Air
7 Chloro benzyl chloride 10 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
8 Mono chloro toluene 10 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
9 Toluene 20 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
10 Aldicarb 2 MT Product Air, Water, Soil
11 Carbaryl 50 MT Product Air, Water, Soil
12 Benzene Hexachloride 5 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
13 Mercury 1 MT Water, Soil
14 Mono methyl amine 25 MT Ingredient Air
15 Chlorine 20 MT Ingredient Air
16 Phosgene 5 MT Ingredient Air
17 Hydro chloric acid 50 MT Ingredient Air, Soil
18 Chloro sulphonic acid 50 MT Ingredient Air, Soil
19 Alpha Naphthol * 50 MT Ingredient Air, Soil
20 Napthalin 50 MT Ingredient Air
21 Chemical waste Tar 50 MT Waste Water, Soil
22 Methyl Isocyanate 5 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
Haphazard dumping of Hazardous Material
Toxic Materials in Soil and Water
Benzene, oxybis 7, 890
Dichlorobenzenes 87,500
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons 2,340
Phthalates 9,940
Trichlorobenzenes 9,410
Trimethyl Trianzintrione 24,470
1-Napthalenol 59,090
Units in parts per billion (ppb)
Additionally, Dichlorobenzenes and Trichlorobenzenes were found in the soil and water
samples.
Toxic Materials in Soil and Water
Lead, Nickel, Copper, Chromium, Hexachlorocyclohexane and
chlorobenzenes were found in soil samples.
Mercury was found to be between 20,000 to 6,000,000 times the
standard level in soil.
Compensation and Legal Aspects
Compensation of $470 million ($500 per dead).
Twenty years of passiveness.
Case was reviewed and put up in American Court.
DOW Refused Union Carbide’s Liabilities in Bhopal, India.
20,000 KILLED
120,000 SEVERELY AFFECTED
…And we thought only weapons
could cause Mass Destruction
