What was the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Health

About:

The Bhopal gas tragedy was one of the worst industrial accidents in history that occurred on the night of 2-3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, MP.
It exposed people and animals to the highly toxic gas methyl isocyanate (MIC), causing immediate and long-term health effects and deaths.

Causes of Gas Leak:

The exact cause of the gas leak is still disputed between corporate negligence or employee sabotage. However, some of the factors that contributed to the disaster are:
The UCIL plant was storing large quantities of MIC, a highly reactive and volatile chemical, in poorly maintained tanks.
The plant was operating with reduced staff and safety standards due to financial losses and market competition.
The plant was located in a densely populated area with no proper emergency plans or warning systems for the nearby residents.
On the night of the disaster, a large amount of water entered one of the MIC storage tanks (E610), either due to a faulty valve or a deliberate act of sabotage by a disgruntled worker.
This triggered an exothermic reaction that increased the temperature and pressure inside the tank, causing it to rupture and release a large cloud of MIC gas into the atmosphere.

Reactions:

A 2019 report by the UN’s International Labour Organization (ILO) said at least 30 tonnes of the poisonous gas affected more than 600,000 workers and nearby inhabitants.
It added the disaster was among the world’s “major industrial accidents after 1919”.

Laws Passed:

Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 – Gave the Central Govt the “exclusive right” to represent, and act in place of every person connected with the claims.
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, – Authorised the central govt to take relevant measures and regulate industrial activity for environmental and public safety.
Public Liability Insurance Act of 1991 – Provides public liability insurance for providing immediate relief to the persons affected by an accident occurring while handling any hazardous substance.
Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010– India enacted the CLNDA in 2010 to put in place a speedy compensation mechanism for victims of a nuclear accident. It provides for strict and no-fault liability on the operator of the nuclear plant, where it will be held liable for damage regardless of any fault on its part.