The toxins of the Bhopal disaster

Sub : Env

Sec: Pollution

Context:

Hundreds of tonnes of toxic waste remain around the Union Carbide plant, even 40 years after the Bhopal gas disaster.

Details:

Only a small fraction of the waste has been disposed of despite directives from courts and pleas from locals and activists.
In 2023, ₹126 crore was allocated to incinerate 340 tonnes of aboveground waste, but concerns persist over the release of harmful fumes during incineration.
The plant manufactured carbaryl, an insecticide, using methyl isocyanate (MIC).
MIC, a highly toxic chemical, reacts with water, releasing heat and vapors.

Contamination at the Site:

Toxic Substances Found:
- Soil and Groundwater: High concentrations of mercury, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and other heavy metals.
- Organic Compounds: Hexachlorobutadiene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and trichlorobenzene.
- Persistent Waste: Over 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil, 1 tonne of mercury, and nearly 150 tonnes of underground toxic waste remain.
Water Contamination:
- Higher-than-permitted levels of nitrate, chloride compounds, and heavy metals were detected in multiple communities.
- Reports of persistent organic pollutants spreading to newer areas.

Health and Environmental Impacts:

Heavy Metals:
- Mercury: Accumulates in tissues, disrupting cellular function and damaging organs.
- Chromium: Can promote insulin action but in excess, causes immune system damage and cancer.
- Lead: Affects plants, animals, and humans, causing structural cell damage and potential cancers.
- Copper: High levels harm the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system.
Organic Compounds:
- Hexachlorobutadiene: Damages liver, kidneys, and brain; corrosive and possibly carcinogenic.
- Chloroform (trichloromethane): Affects the central nervous system and may cause cancer.
- Carbon Tetrachloride: Causes acute liver damage and is linked to cancer.
- Trichlorobenzene: Builds up in fatty tissues, damaging the liver and kidneys.
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):
- Long-lasting in the environment, associated with cancers, nervous system damage, reproductive disorders, and immune suppression.

Source: TH