M7.8 topic of interest
My topic of interest is the Bhopal Disaster of 1984.
On December 3 1984, more than 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas leaked from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, immediately killing at least 3,800 people and causing significant morbidity and premature death for many thousands more. The company involved in what became the worst industrial accident in history immediately tried to dissociate itself from legal responsibility. Eventually it reached a settlement with the Indian Government through mediation of that country's Supreme Court and accepted moral responsibility. It paid $470 million in compensation, a relatively small amount of based on significant underestimations of the long-term health consequences of exposure and the number of people exposed.
Methyl isocynate (MIC) is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. The primary use of methyl isocyanate is as a chemical intermediate in the production of pesticides. It is also used to produce polyurethane foams and plastics. It is shipped and handled as a flammable and explosive liquid in a special container.
MIC Toxicity: Pulmonary edema was the probable cause of death in most cases, with many deaths resulting from secondary respiratory infections. Survivors continue to exhibit damage to the lungs and eyes. Reproductive effects and increased number of stillbirths and spontaneous abortions were noted in the survivors of the Bhopal, India accident.
Laws and Regulations:
Given the deaths that have resulted from the contamination of MIC in Bhopal and the birth defects that have been documented it is shocking to read that EPA has classified methyl isocyanate as a Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
On December 3 1984, more than 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas leaked from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, immediately killing at least 3,800 people and causing significant morbidity and premature death for many thousands more. The company involved in what became the worst industrial accident in history immediately tried to dissociate itself from legal responsibility. Eventually it reached a settlement with the Indian Government through mediation of that country's Supreme Court and accepted moral responsibility. It paid $470 million in compensation, a relatively small amount of based on significant underestimations of the long-term health consequences of exposure and the number of people exposed.
Methyl isocynate (MIC) is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. The primary use of methyl isocyanate is as a chemical intermediate in the production of pesticides. It is also used to produce polyurethane foams and plastics. It is shipped and handled as a flammable and explosive liquid in a special container.
MIC Toxicity: Pulmonary edema was the probable cause of death in most cases, with many deaths resulting from secondary respiratory infections. Survivors continue to exhibit damage to the lungs and eyes. Reproductive effects and increased number of stillbirths and spontaneous abortions were noted in the survivors of the Bhopal, India accident.
Laws and Regulations:
Given the deaths that have resulted from the contamination of MIC in Bhopal and the birth defects that have been documented it is shocking to read that EPA has classified methyl isocyanate as a Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
References:
Kumar, M. kmadhuresh@gmail. co. (2014). Bhopal and the Struggle for Social Justice in India. Social Justice, 41(1/2), 186–197. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=eue&AN=100180363&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=s3818721
Laine, A. L. . (2015). Integrated Reporting: Fostering Human Rights Accountability for Multinational Corporations. George Washington International Law Review, 47(3), 639–667. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=lft&AN=109213869&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=s3818721
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/the-worlds-worst-industrial-disaster-is-still-unfolding/560726/
Nair, Malini, Bhopal Gas Tragedy – A Social, Economic, Legal and Environmental Analysis (December 31, 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1977710 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1977710
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/methyl-isocyanate.pdf
Super interesting topic! I remember reading about this during the module that focused on environmental health inequities experienced by vulnerable populations and people of color. It seems to be a trend among large corporations to wiggle their way out of fault in these types of disasters. With the ability to hire "good lawyers', they oftentimes evade blame and fault. Unfortunately in cases where such disasters happen, they are still allowed to continue their work, regardless of the risk. I'm definitely interested in learning more about your topic moving forward!
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