FAQs ON THE BHOPAL DISASTER

  • Located in the heart of India, Bhopal is celebrated for its scenic lakes, cultural diversity, and rich history, with a significant Muslim population contributing to its unique heritage. However, it is also widely known for the industrial disaster of 2-3 December 1984, when a toxic gas leak at the Union Carbide plant caused widespread loss of life, severe health issues, and environmental damage that continues to affect the area today.

  • On that night, around 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas escaped from a storage tank at Union Carbide, spreading through the city and exposing thousands to lethal fumes. This disaster resulted from a combination of cost-cutting, unsafe working conditions, and poor safety measures. Union Carbide’s decisions to reduce safety standards played a significant role, and ongoing neglect allowed the disaster to happen.

  • Methyl isocyanate, or MIC, is a highly toxic chemical used in pesticide production. When inhaled, it severely irritates the eyes, skin, and lungs and quickly enters the bloodstream, affecting the entire body. For those exposed to high doses, it can cause immediate death or lasting health problems, including respiratory and neurological damage. For the people of Bhopal, its effects were devastating and remain so due to continued environmental contamination.

  • Yes, children were especially vulnerable to the gas. Due to their size, the toxic gas affected them even more severely than adults. Many children born after the disaster also suffer from birth defects and developmental issues due to ongoing exposure to contaminated water and soil, passed down from the original toxic exposure and the chemical residues left uncleaned at the factory site​.

  • The factory was immediately shut down and fenced off after the disaster, but no significant clean-up was done. Union Carbide left behind toxic waste, leaking tanks, and chemical residues that continue to seep into local soil and water sources.

    Today, the abandoned factory remains a source of pollution, affecting new generations. Families still struggle with major health issues and rely on organisations like the Chingari Trust, where children featured in the book are treated with medical care and support.

  • After the disaster, the factory was immediately shut down and fenced off. No significant clean-up was done, leaving toxic waste, leaking tanks, and chemical residues on-site. Union Carbide left the area without addressing these hazards, and neither they nor their successor company, Dow Chemical, have taken responsibility for remediating the site. Today, the abandoned factory remains a source of pollution and poses ongoing health risks to nearby communities​.

  • Yes, many residents survived, but they continue to endure chronic health issues like respiratory problems, cancers, and birth defects affecting future generations. Efforts by clinics like Sambhavna and the Chingari Trust, the latter being where children featured in the book attend, have provided critical support to those impacted​.

  • In 2010, a few Indian managers received minor sentences, sparking criticism for the lack of serious accountability. Warren Anderson, CEO of Union Carbide at the time, was charged but escaped extradition and prosecution, which caused public outrage. Union Carbide, led by Anderson, is widely regarded as responsible due to negligence and compromised safety measures, yet neither Union Carbide nor its successor company, Dow Chemical, has fully addressed the impacts or supported the community.

  • There are several meaningful ways you can contribute to supporting the ongoing fight for justice and care in Bhopal:

    1. Purchase the Book "Bhopal: Forty Children of Bhopal": Purchasing this book supports awareness efforts and directs funds to causes that aid children.

    2. Gift the Book: Sharing this story with friends, family, or community spaces is a powerful way to help others understand the long-lasting impacts of the disaster.

    3. Support the Chingari Trust via the Bhopal Medical Appeal: You can make a direct impact by supporting the Chingari Trust, an organisation dedicated to helping children and families affected by the disaster with healthcare, education, and rehabilitation. To learn more or make a donation, visit the Bhopal Medical Appeal website.

    Each of these actions contributes to sustaining the health and dignity of those still facing the consequences of this disaster.