Context : Forty years after the Bhopal disaster on December 2-3, 1984, several hundred tonnes of toxic waste still remain around the ill-fated Union Carbide plant.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment )
Main Toxins Released During the Disaster
- Methyl Isocyanate (MIC): Highly toxic, reacts with water to release boiling vapors.
- Hydrogen Cyanide: Suspected in fumes, indicated by the blood-red viscera of victims.
- Hexachlorobutadiene: Possible carcinogen causing liver damage.
- Chloroform: Affects the central nervous system; possible carcinogen.
- Carbon Tetrachloride: Acute toxin damaging the liver and causing irregular heartbeat.
- Trichlorobenzene: Volatile, spreads through air, water, and soil, damaging liver and kidneys.
Contaminants Found at the Site
- Mercury: Present in significant quantities and known to damage multiple organs.
- Chromium, Copper, Nickel, and Lead: Heavy metals found in elevated concentrations, which can cause various health issues, including cancer.
- Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Long-lasting compounds that can cause cancer, reproductive disorders, and immune system disruption.
Environmental Impact
- Soil, Air, and Water Contamination: Elevated concentrations of toxic compounds have been found in soil, air, and water samples collected from the area.
- Ongoing Health Issues: Survivors and their descendants continue to suffer from chronic health problems, including cancer, lung diseases, and neurological damage.
The disaster’s legacy is a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures and environmental regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
