Bhopal Gas Tragedy- Union Carbide

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Bhopal Gas Tragedy

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Preview Amongst the worst Industrail Disasters of its time.

Occurrence: 3rd December 1984.

Place of occurrence: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Company: Union Carbide Corporation.

Chemical: Methyl Isocyanate (27 tons)

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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.

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Bhopal Scenario

Union Carbide Corporation

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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.

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Toxic Materials in Soil and Water

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Gas Vent Scrubber

Gas Vent Scrubber Stack

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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.

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Animal Slaughter

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Over to you Aniket…

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Methyl Isocyanate Physical and Chemical Characteristics

Methyl Isocyanate (C2H3NO)

Liquid form

Volatile

Colourless

Strong, sharp odour

Flash Point – -7oC

Molecular weight: 57.05 daltons

Boiling point (760 mm Hg): 102ºF (39.1ºC)

Freezing point: -49ºF

Vapor pressure: 348 mm Hg at 68ºF (20ºC)

Vapor density: 1.42 (air = 1.00)

Water solubility: Reactive 6.7% at 68ºF (20ºC)