Two cliches are generally used in accidents

“An accident waiting to happen” -This applies

“We were lucky it wasn’t worse” -This does not

apply

It could have been worse

Started in 1969 in bhopal

Phosgene, Monomethlyamine, Methyl

Isocyanate (MIC) and the pesticide Carbaryl,

also known as Sevin.

Taken over by DOW Chemicals in 2001.

DOW refused Union Carbide’s Liabilities in

Bhopal, India.

41 T Of MIC and its reaction products released Cold winter midnight of 2nd -3rd Dec. 1984Between 00:40 and 02:30 AM approx.At 30m (100ft) heightMoved as a 10m (30ft) high wallCovered residential areas, main hospitals, railway

station, 65 sq. km. area (25 sq. miles)Approx. 8000 immediate deaths, over 200,000

sufferedOver 12,000 more died since, over 120, 000 still

sufferingUc contiued to deny any long-term effects

The plant was over desinged by 150%, at the insistance of the Head Quarters and against the advice of the UC personnel in Bhopal. This led to the loss and cost cuttings due to lower capacity utilization

Computerized early warning system and data logger were not incoporated into the design

Process design allowed for long-term storage of very large quantities of MIC in tanks

A non-MIC route could have been chosen as was used by UC earlier

A continuous reactor design could have done away with MIC storage. Any reactor leak would have released a few kg, not tons of MIC and would not have affected beyond the boundary

Water sprays were designed to reach only 12-15 meters although the gases from the flare were released at 30 meters.

Jumper line design modification connected relief-value vent header and the process-vent header, allowing water into the storage tank,

Maximum allowable scrubber pressure was 15 psi while the rupture disc allowing the gas to come into the scrubber was set at 40 psi.

A single stage, manual safety system was used in place of an electronically controlled four-stage back-up safety system used in other similar plants

The design did not provide a backup system to divert escaping MIC to an effluent area for quick neutralization as in Bayer’s MIC plant

Respiratory Disorders – Irritation to the lungs, causing coughing and/or shortness of breathing. Higher exposure caused build up of fluids (pulmonary edema). Caused Asthama.

Cancer Hazard – Caused mutation (genetic changes). It caused cancer.

Reproductive Hazard – Association between exposure to Methyl Isocyanate and miscarriages. It may damage the growing fetus.May also affect fertility in men and women.

Traces of many toxins were found in the Brest Milk of mothers and were inturn transmitted to the recepient babies.

After the Bhopal Disaster, the company went out of business.

They were bought by Dow Chemical in 1999

What was wrong with the Bhopal plant?

Was the plant properly sited?

Was the Bhopal area ready for the such a plant?

Could the Bhopal area local bodies deal with the disaster of the magnitude

Should UCC’s assets seized and sold off to compensate Bhopal victims?

In such cases, should there be such a thing as limited liability?

What more can UCC or DOW chemical a do?Should the Indian Government bear a

substantial portion of the responsibility?Should criminal cases be brought against

local Government official as well as Warran Anderson?

Direct Result of Bhopal Tragedy

All major chemical company signed on

Objective to make the chemical industry serve society better

Our industry creates products and services that make life better for people around the world – both today and tomorrow .

The benefits of our industry are accompanied by enduring commitments to responsible care in the management of chemicals worldwide .

We will make continuous progress toward the vision of no accidents, injuries or harm to the environment and will publicly report our global health, safety and environmental performance

We will lead our companies in ethical ways that increasingly benefit society, the economy and the environment while adhering to the following principles:

To seek incorporate public input regarding our products and operations

To provide chemicals that can be manufactured, transported, used and disposed of safely.

To make health, safety, the environment and resource conservation critical considerations for all new and existing products and processes.

To provide information on health or environmetal risks and pursue protective measures for employees, the public and other key stakeholders.

To operate our facilities in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of our employees and the public.

To work with customers, carriers, suppliers, distributors and contractors to foster the safe use, transport and disposal of chemicals.

To support education and research on the health, safety and environmental effects of our products and processes to foster the safe use, transfer and disposal of chemical

To lead in the development of responsible laws, regulations and standards that safeguard the community, workplace and environment.

To practice Responsible Care by encouraging and assisting others to adhere to these principles and practices