According to official estimates, more than 3000 people died due to poisoning by the gas, but activists say that numbers are higher at least 7000-8000. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) states that over 600,000 workers and nearby inhabitants were injured due to the gas leak. Over the years the death toll due to the disaster has reached 15000.
What happened
Methyl isocyanate or MIC is a colourless and extremely flammable liquid chemical. It is highly volatile and can be explosive when it meets air. When it is mixed with water, the resulting reaction causes the formation of heat, methylamine, and carbon dioxide. Both the liquid and the vapors of the chemical is poisonous and can cause severe damage if any part of the body is exposed to it or it is inhaled.
Even before the tragedy in 1984, there were reports of several smaller leakages at the Union Carbide plant. In 1976, Trade Unions had also highlighted that there was pollution within the plant. Several accidents with gas leak and spillage had also come to notice. Yet these were not addressed and important areas in the plant such as the safety system continued to malfunction.
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In October 1984, a problem in pumping was detected in a tank that was used to store liquid MIC. Since the tank stored more than the prescribed amount of MIC, the plant was shut partially for repairs. But despite the efforts liquid MIC from the tank could not be pumped out of the tank and it remained there, till in December water entered the tank. This led to a chemical reaction that led to the formation of a tremendous amount of gas. It built pressure on the tank and the tank cover blew away releasing the poisonous gas into the air.
What is the effect of the gas
People who were exposed to the gas leak complained of burning in the eyes, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting. According to a study 'The Bhopal disaster and its aftermath: a review' published in a journal by National Center for Biotechnology Information (United States) the early effects of the gas exposure that is immediately after exposure to six months are:
- Redness in the eyes, watering, ulcers, and photophobia
- Pulmonary edema and pneumonitis
- Persistent diarrhea and persistent abdominal pain
- Genetic issues such as chromosomal abnormalities and psychological effects such as anxiety and neurosis
Over the years the gas exposure is linked to reproductive problems such as Increased pregnancy loss and increased infant mortality in the victims and even the generations after.
Visakhapatnam Gas Leak
Today’s gas leak at the LG Polymers Chemical Plant is an eerie reminder of what happened in 1984. Although it is still not clear what caused the leak at the plant, tt the time of writing 10 people have been reported dead so far, while 800 people have been admitted to hospitals. PM Modi has also spoken to CM Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy and also had a meeting with officials from MHA and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) regarding the gas leakage.