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MIC is used to produce pesticides that control insects which would in turn, help increase
production of food as a part of India’s GREEN REVOLUTION.
To the people of the city of Bhopal, Union Carbide was a highly respected , technically
advanced Western company.
This coupled with political power and scientific expertise worked together to change the
people’s perception of what was dangerous and more importantly what was safe.
Background
1970s
Traces of many toxins were found in the Brest Milk of mothers and were
inturn transmitted to the recepient babies.
6 safety systems
failed!
Equipment and Safety Regulations
The MIC tank alarms had not worked for four years..
There was only one manual back-up system, compared to a four-stage system
used in the US.
The flare tower and the vent gas scrubber had been out of service for five
months before the disaster.
To reduce energy costs, the refrigeration system was idle. The MIC was kept
at 20 degrees Celsius, not the 4.5 degrees advised by the manual.
The steam boiler, intended to clean the pipes, was out of action for unknown
reasons.
Repercussions of the disaster?
•Doctors and hospitals were not informed of proper treatment methos for
MIC gas inhalation. They were told to simply give cough medicine and
eye drops to their patients.
•The gases immediately caused visible damage to the trees. Within a few
days, all the leaves fell off.
•"Operation Faith": On December 16, the tanks 611 and 619 were
emptied of the remaining MIC. This led to a second mass evacuation
from Bhopal.
1985
•Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster Act – GOI set up as sole representative of Bhopal
victims
• All cases transferred from US courts to Indian
1989
UCC accepts moral responsibility and settles out of court for $470 million (of
the original $3 billion)
• UCC share rises $2 (i.e. up 7%)
Blame Game
Lapses :By Government
Workers were forced to use English manuals, even though only a few had a
grasp of the language.
Workers made complaints about the cuts through their union but were ignored
by management.
Current Situation