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On December 2nd, 1984 in Bhopal, India a large pesticide plant operated by Union Carbide suffered a catastrophic reaction in a storage tank that burst and released 390 tonnes of toxic gases. On the first night 2250 people died as a result of exposure to the gases, wiping out entire communities and villages.
The death toll continues to rise as illness and diseases associated with the gases continue to develop. Latest estimates as to the scale of the disaster put the number of casualties at about 15,000 deaths and over 500,000 non-fatal injuries. This makes the disaster the world's worst industrial accident.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe material released in the Bhopal disaster was primarily methyl isocyanate.
Between 1977 and 1984, Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), located within a crowded working class neighborhood in Bhopal, was licensed by the Madhya Pradesh Government to manufacture phosgene, monomethylamine (MMA), methylisocyanate (MIC) and the pesticide carbaryl, also known as Sevin.
On the night of the 2-3 December 1984 water inadvertently entered the MIC storage tank, where over 40 metric tons of MIC were being stored. The addition of water to the tank caused a runaway chemical reaction, resulting in a rapid rise in pressure and temperature. The heat generated by the reaction, the presence of higher than normal concentrations of chloroform, and the presence of an iron catalyst , produced by the corrosion of the stainless steel tank wall, resulted in a reaction of such momentum, that gases formed could not be contained by safety systems.
As a result, MIC and other reaction products, in liquid and vapor form, escaped from the plant into the surrounding areas. There was no warning for people surrounding the plant as the emergency sirens had been switched off. The effect on the people living in the shanty settlements just over the fence was immediate and devastating. Many died in their beds, others staggered from their homes, blinded and choking, to die in the street.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe Bhopal Disaster was caused by a cloud of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, which weighed 42 tonnes, released by an Union Carbide Pesticide plant.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoUnion Carbide.
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Is Bhopal gas tragedy a manmade disaster?
Yes, Bhopal Gas Tragedy is a man-made disaster
Why Bhopal gas tragedy is known as man made disaster?
The Bhopal gas tragedy is known as a man made disaster. It is because the disaster was caused due to human mishandling.
Which gas caused Bhopal gas disaster 1984?
The Bhopal gas disaster was due to human mishandling. This mistake took the life of 8000 plus people.
Is bhopal gas tragedy a man made disaster?
YES
What disaster caused at bhopal gas tragedy?
leak of the MIC gas!!
What are recent industrial disaster in India?
bhopal gas tragedy -1984
When did the Bhopal disaster happen?
The night of December 2-3, 1984
When did the barer disaster take place?
The Bhopal disaster, also known as the Bhopal gas tragedy, occurred in early December 1984. It was a gas leak incident at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, causing one of the worst industrial disasters in history.
What gas responsible for Bhopal tragedy?
methyle isocyanate
When does bhopal disaster take place?
Bhopal gas tragedy was an unfortunate incident. It occurred in the year 1984.
Which gas leaked in bhopal gas tragedy?
The Bhopal Disaster was caused by a cloud of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, which weighed 42 tonnes, released by an Union Carbide Pesticide plant.
What has the author Suroopa Mukherjee written?
Suroopa Mukherjee has written: 'A tale of the forest' 'Bhopal gas tragedy' -- subject(s): Accidents, Bhopal Union Carbide Plant Disaster, Bhopal, India, 1984, Chemical industry, Environmental aspects of Methyl isocyanate, Methyl isocyanate
