Some time ago, I watched the Netflix Mini series " The Railway Men. " What a great tribute to the Railway employees who saved thousands of lives during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
The incident, one of the most devastating industrial disasters in history, occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, in the city of Bhopal, India.
The incident not only left a tragic mark on the affected community but also raised critical questions about industrial safety, corporate responsibility, and the environmental impact of chemical disasters.
The catastrophe unfolded at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant when a lethal gas, methyl isocyanate (MIC), leaked into the atmosphere. The gas quickly spread across the densely populated city, affecting thousands of residents while they slept. The immediate and severe health effects included respiratory problems, blindness, and various other life-threatening complications.
Shortly after midnight on December 3, 1984, about 40 tons of deadly gas leaked out of a pesticide factory in the central Indian city of Bhopal. The highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) – used as an intermediary chemical for making pesticides – drifted across the city, exposing nearly half a million residents.
Thousands of people died over the next several days, and it's estimated that many thousands more have died from related health issues since. Survivors who are alive today still struggle with a range of debilitating chronic health issues, from cancer to lung disorders to neurological damage.
Many factors brought about this disaster, but investigators focused on human error.
During routine cleaning, a worker failed to insert a device designed to prevent water from entering chemical tanks in case of valve failures.
This error caused water to leak through the valve during cleaning, pouring into a chemical tank containing a large volume of methyl isocyanate. The mixing of water and methyl isocyanate created a chemical reaction with enough energy to vent tons of the toxic chemical into the air.
The aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy was marked by legal battles, both in India and internationally. The Indian government reached a settlement with Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) in 1989, which saw the company paying $470 million in compensation. However, critics argue that the amount was grossly inadequate, considering the scale of the disaster and the long-term consequences for the affected community.
Union Carbide's responsibility for the incident and its aftermath remained a contentious issue. In 2010, eight individuals, including former employees of UCIL, were convicted in India for their roles in the tragedy. However, activists and survivors continued to advocate for justice and accountability from Union Carbide and its parent company, Dow Chemicals, which acquired Union Carbide in 2001.
Beyond the human tragedy, the Bhopal gas leak had severe environmental repercussions. The MIC gas leak contaminated soil and water in the vicinity of the plant, affecting local ecosystems. Decades later, the site continued to pose environmental risks, and concerns about groundwater contamination persisted. The tragedy underscored the need for stringent regulations and corporate responsibility to prevent similar disasters and protect the environment.
During the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984, there were several railway employees who played crucial roles in helping to save lives. One notable figure is Shiv Narain Gour, a station master at the Bhopal railway station. Gour, along with other railway staff, took quick and decisive action to prevent a tragedy from escalating further.
As the toxic gas spread through the city, Gour and his team at the railway station recognised the severity of the situation. They made swift decisions to divert and stop incoming trains to Bhopal, preventing more people from entering the affected area. Additionally, Gour ensured that trains leaving Bhopal were expedited, aiding in the evacuation of residents to safer locations.
The actions of railway employees, including Shiv Narain Gour, played a crucial role in minimizing further casualties during the Bhopal gas tragedy. Their quick thinking and efforts to manage train traffic helped in the evacuation of a significant number of people, showcasing the importance of coordinated responses in the face of such disasters.
As the 40th anniversary of the tragedy is with us, children born with congenital disabilities with their parents and relatives during a candlelight vigil to pay tributes to the people killed in the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy on the 40th anniversary of the disaster, in Bhopal on Sunday, December 1, 2024
Photo Credit: ANI
Four decades after the Bhopal gas tragedy, hundreds of tonnes of toxic waste remain on the premises of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL). Despite multiple court orders and warnings, government authorities have not disposed of the waste safely, officials confirmed to The Hindu.
The cleanup of the Bhopal gas tragedy site, one of the world’s worst industrial disasters, remains incomplete nearly 40 years later. The site is still heavily contaminated with hazardous chemicals that pose ongoing environmental and health risks. The Madhya Pradesh government, supported by the Indian central government, recently allocated funds to dispose of 336 tonnes of waste at a facility in Dhar district. However, this represents only a fraction of the estimated 1.2 million tonnes of toxic material present. Activists argue for a comprehensive scientific survey to determine the full extent of contamination before effective remediation. Studies have shown significant soil and water pollution, primarily within the Union Carbide plant premises.
Groundwater contamination in surrounding areas has also been reported, linked to unlined waste pits and breached solar evaporation ponds. The cleanup has faced technical, legal, and financial hurdles. Critics highlight that previous attempts at waste disposal have been insufficient, and the government has not enforced a thorough "polluter pays" accountability for the companies involved. A curative petition seeking additional compensation from Union Carbide and its successors was dismissed by India’s Supreme Court. This has further strained efforts to fund comprehensive cleanup and rehabilitation. While some progress has been made, such as initial disposal plans and healthcare improvements for affected populations, the overall pace of environmental recovery remains slow. Activists continue to call for urgent and large-scale interventions to address the disaster's legacy.
One thing that disturbed me was that the factory was in such a built-up urban environment. Surely such potentially dangerous factories should be away from heavily populated areas?
It is interesting to note that The United Firefighters Union Australia (UFUA) wants regulation and public education campaigns for battery fires, both in vehicles and battery energy storage systems (BESSs), which are used in homes and businesses.
Lithium-ion battery fires release toxins such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen fluoride and cobalt.
UFUA national secretary Greg McConville said these toxins were particularly dangerous for firefighters because they were absorbed through the skin and clothing could not protect against them.
"[Carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide] both prevent the body using oxygen, and cyanide affects organs that rely on high levels of oxygen, such as the heart and the brain," he said.
"We've already had a situation in Victoria where two firefighters suffered cobalt poisoning after attending an EV fire, and have now been permanently disabled as a result.
Let us hope that these giant battery farms are well sealed...... and located far away from populated areas. After all, as the people of Bhopal know all too well, accidents do happen.
It is Murphy's Law.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS
