On the fateful night of 3 December,
due to the negligence, one of the world’s worst industrial disaster was caused.
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL)
pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. A harmful gas called methyl
isocyanate also called as MIC covered Bhopal in a thick cloud leading to
immediate consequences.
By the break of dawn, a thousand
corpses of animals, human beings, and all kinds of living creatures flood the
streets of Bhopal. The gas spread fast to all the surrounding areas and
travelled as far as 40 km away from the site of the tragedy. The immediate
death toll was 2,259 at that time.
The Day of the Tragedy
In the early hours of May 7, there was a gas leak at LG Polymers chemical plant in R.R Venkatapuram village near Gopalapatnam in the outskirts of the city of Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh in India. Chemical plant situated in a densely populated area.
Styrene gas reportedly spread over a radius of 3km affecting five villages about 2000 people were evacuated from nearby areas. Twelve people died and over 350 were admitted to hospitals after styrene monomer gas leaked from a chemical plant belonging to LG Polymers at RR Venkatapuram in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
The plant was
set up in 1961 as Hindustan Polymers for manufacturing polystyrene and its
co-polymers in Vizag. The gas leak began around 3.30 am in the
plant. It was merged with McDowell & Co of the UB group in 1978 and
was taken over by South Korea-based LG Chem in 1997 which renamed it as LG Polymers.
Cause of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Preliminary investigations concluded that the accident was likely the result of improper maintenance of units storing the styrene gas, improper storage and operation errors. On 7 may 2020, the plant was re-opened following the nationwide lockdown implemented as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plant stored
2000 metric tons of styrene in tanks, which were left unattended. It is
believed that a computer glitch in a factory’s cooling system allowed
temperatures of the harmful MIC gas in the storage tanks to exceed safe levels
causing styrene to vaporise. Between 2:30 am and 3:00 am while maintenance
activity was in progress, the gas leaked from the plant to nearby villages.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy Effects
As of 7 may the fumes had spread over a radius of 3 km. five villages were the most affected areas. Hundreds of people were rushed to hospitals with breathing difficulties and burning sensation in the eyes. Many were found lying on the ground unconscious due to the effects of the gas.
Several symptoms experienced by the victims were respiratory problems such as mucous membrane irritation, eye irritation, gastrointestinal effects, effects on the central nervous system, tiredness, balance problems, light headedness etc.
Hearing loss, sperm damage has been observed in animals exposed to styrene at high concentration levels. Animal studies have also shown that styrene inhalation can cause damage to the liver and changes in the lining of the nose.
Precautions Taken During the Bhopal Gas
Tragedy
The precautions taken during the leak included the people being moved from the accident place as soon as possible. Fortunately they were aware about the safety protocol to avoid any more deaths and hospitalisations.
They were made
to cover their mouth through wet cloth or wet mask. They were told to consume
milk, jaggery and bananas to neutralise the effect of gas and doctors strictly
told them to not consume uncover food and water. During such gas leaks running
in fear can tier the body and worsen the situation.
Consequences Since the Tragedy
Since the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, there have been numerous protests demanding justice for the victims since they were devoid of proper medical facilities, adequate compensation, employment opportunities and the government has been passing the baton of responsibility from one organisation to the other.
Even after decades of the tragedy, the toxic waste of the site has not been cleared and the people of Bhopal are forced to have contaminated water and live in very poor conditions.
The consequences of the tragedy are carried on for generation with third generation children being born with various defects and disorders. The people of Bhopal are yet protesting on the streets for their rights and the negligence of the Government of India.
Written by Jerusha Patel
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