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Posted 02 Dec 2024

2 min read

About Bhopal Gas Tragedy

  • On 3rd December 1984, highly toxic Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL). 
    • Even after four decades of tragedy, hundreds of tonnes of toxic waste remain on premises of UCIL.
  • It was India's first major Chemical (industrial) disaster.

Other Chemical Disasters in India

  • Ammonia Gas Leak at Chennai (2024):  Due to damaged gas pipeline caused by cyclone Michaung. 
  • Vizag Gas Leak (2020): Styrene gas leak at LG Polymers in Visakhapatnam.
  • Tughlakabad Gas Leak (2017): Chemical Chloro methylpyridine (used in pesticides manufacturing) leaked from container.

Reasons for Chemical Disasters

  • Process and safety systems failures due to Human, Technical, and Management errors; Induced effect of natural calamities; Hazardous waste processing/ disposal; Terrorist attack/ unrest leading to sabotage etc.

Impact of Chemical Disasters

  • Health: Exposure to toxic chemicals can lead to reproductive health of women, respiratory issues, cancer, and genetic mutations.
  • Environmental: Soil, water, and air contamination, further disrupting ecosystems and biodiversity
  • Crop health: Exposure to hazardous chemicals damages plant cells, inhibits photosynthesis, stunting growth, and decreased productivity.
  • Bioaccumulation: Released toxins can enter food chain, leading to bioaccumulation.

About Methyl Isocyanate (CH3NCO)

  • Volatile, colorless liquid that is extremely flammable, and potentially explosive when mixed with air.  
  • Reacts with water, giving off heat and producing methylamine and carbon dioxide
  • Liquid and vapor are toxic when inhaled, ingested, or exposed to the eyes or skin.

Initiatives taken to tackle Chemical accidents

  • NDMA guidelines on Chemical Disaster Management: Inspection System by Regulatory Bodies, Establish Information networking system with states and districts on priority basis etc.
  • Explosives Act, 1884: To control manufacture, possession, use, transportation and importation of Explosives.
  • Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Response) Rules 1996.
  • Tags :
  • Chemical Disaster
  • Bhopal Gas Tragedy
  • Industrial Disasters
  • Methyl Isocyanate (CH3NCO)
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