Indepth: Bhopal Gas Disaster

Bhopal’s dirty secret

Date: 30/11/2009

25 years after the gas leak, another tragedy is unfolding in Bhopal reveals this latest study by Centre for Science & Environment. This study based on CSE's Pollution Monitoring Laboratory tests found that water and soil in & around the Union Carbide factory are loaded with pesticides.

Factsheets: Legal & medical tangles

Maps: The spread of toxins

Document: Declaration by Graham Watson in the European Parliament dated 3/Dec/09

Presentation: Bhopal - 25 years later

Document: Letter to Dow Chemical by House of Congress

Document: Statement by Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers on 08.08.2008

Latest News From Down To Earth

Bhopal to get Rs 110 cr memorial
During his recent visit to Bhopal, environment minister Jairam Ramesh stirred a hornet’s nest when he remarked that the toxic waste stored in the Union Carbide factory was safe to handle.

Government Policies and Action Plans

Statement made by the Hon'ble Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Steel on 8th August 2008 at Jantar Mantar New Delhi
08 Aug 2008 Posted by :
The Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted to oversee the matters related to the Bhopal Gas Leak, in its meeting held on 11th June, 2008, had taken certain important decisions. Based on these decisions, the following action has been/ is being taken by the Government.
Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act 1985
29 Mar 1985 Posted by :
An Act to confer certain powers on the Central Government to secure that claims arising out of, or connected with, the Bhopal gas leak disaster are dealt with speedily, effectively, equitably and to the best advantage of the claimants and for matters incidental thereto. This Act may be called the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985.

Environmental Impact

Research on waste at the Union Carbide factory and what it has found
This fact sheet includes research on waste at the Union Carbide factory and what it has found.
Source: Centre for Science and Environment
Tags: Bhopal Gas Disaster, CSE, Industrial Disasters, Toxic Wastes, Union Carbide
What is being done regarding toxic waste at Union Carbide, Bhopal
This fact sheet contains what is being done regarding toxic waste at Union Carbide, Bhopal.
Source: Centre for Science and Environment
Tags: Bhopal, Bhopal Gas Disaster, Industrial Disasters, Toxic Wastes, Union Carbide

Medical Aftermath

The Union Carbide Disaster in Bhopal: A Review of Health Effects
The authors have reviewed studies of human health effects that resulted from exposure to methyl isocyanate gas that leaked from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India, in 1984. The studies were conducted during both the early and late recovery periods. Major organs exposed were the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. Although mortality was initially
Source: Archives of Environmental Health
Tags: Bhopal, Bhopal Gas Disaster, Health Effects, Industrial Disasters, Methyl Isocyanate (MIC), Union Carbide
DRDE claims on toxicity of UC factory
This study was conducted to assess the safety with special reference to acute toxicity, if any of six samples (Excavated waste, Lime sludge, Naphthol tar (or Naphthol tar), Reactor residue, Semi processed pesticide and Sevin tar) collected from `Stored Toxic Wastes at the former UCIL plant site at Bhopal'.
Source: Defence Res. & Dev. Establishment
Tags: Acute Toxicity, Bhopal, Bhopal Gas Disaster, Industrial Disasters, Toxic Wastes, Toxicity Studies, Union Carbide, India

Legal Issues

Key legal cases on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and its aftermath
This fact sheet contains major legal cases concerning Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
Source: Centre for Science and Environment
Tags: Bhopal, Bhopal Gas Disaster, Compensation, CSE, Industrial Disasters, Waste Disposal, India

Relief, Rehabilitation & Corporate Liability

What Dow Chemical Company is doing to remove its liability for the waste dumped in the Union Carbide factory
Is Dow liable for the waste in Bhopal factory of Union Carbide?
Source: Centre for Science and Environment
Tags: Bhopal Gas Disaster, Chemical Industry, CSE, Industrial Disasters, Toxic Wastes, Union Carbide, India

Books

Bhopal: The inside story
On the night of December 2, 1984, forty tons of deadly methyl isocyanate leaked out of a Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, India, killing thousands and injuring many more.
Bhopal: Industrial genocide?
The deaths in Bhopal caused by Union Carbide's noxious fumes should not have happened at all. Equally unnecessary and unwarranted is the continuing suffering of those who managed to survive. Situations that caused a tragedy of such magnitude could and should have been averted.