Chronology of Events of the 1984 Bhopal Accident
Rangaprasad Sarangrajan 1 and Brinda Mahadevan 2
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, MA and 2 Schering Plough
Research Institute, NJ
1Massachusetts
1969
Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) factory built in Bhopal, India
1979
UCIL starts manufacturing methyl isocyanate (MIC)
1984
Dec3/4: 40 ton MIC leak, spreads approximately 20 square miles
Estimated Casualties
‐ Immediate: 3800
‐ Total: 10,000 – 20,000
Estimated number of individuals exposed to MIC gas: 500,000
Health Effects following MIC exposure
Immediate (0‐6 months)
•Ocular: Chemosis, redness, watering, ulcers, photophobia
•Respiratory Distress, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, pneumothorax.
•Gastrointestinal Persistent diarrhea, anorexia, persistent abdominal pain.
•Genetic‐Increased chromosomal abnormalities
•Psychological Neuroses, anxiety states, adjustment reactions
•Neurobehavioral Impaired audio and visual memory, impaired vigilance
attention and response time, Impaired reasoning and spatial ability, impaired psychomotor coordination. Long‐term Health Effects
•Ocular Persistent watering, corneal opacities, chronic conjunctivitis
•Respiratory Obstructive and restrictive airway disease, decreased lung function
•Reproductive Increased pregnancy loss, increased infant mortality, decreased placental/fetal weight
•Genetic‐Increased chromosomal abnormalities Neurobehavioral Impaired associate learning, motor speed, precision
Legislation in India: 1984 ‐ Present
1984
Bhopal Gas Leak Act: Government of India as the
sole legal representative of victims of the Bhopal
incident in India and abroad
1985
Community Awareness & Emergency Response
(CAER) Program: Designed by Chemical
Manufacturers Association (CMA)
• Environment Protection Act
• Litigation moved from USA to Indian Court system
1986
Emergency Planning and Community Right-toKnow Act
• Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous
Chemicals Rules - Implemented
• Litigation settlement by UCC: $ 470 million
1989
1988
The Public Liability Insurance Act: Mandates
compulsory insurance for purpose of providing
immediate assistance to individuals affected by
exposure to hazardous substances.
1990
Adopts Canadian Responsible Care code
Clean Air Act Amendments establish OSHA PSM
standard and EPA RMP program
1991
1992
OSHA PSM standard published
Legislation in the USA: 1984 ‐ Present
Dec 18th: Operation Faith: Plan to convert remaining
MIC to pesticide
1994
The International Medical Commission on Bhopal (IMCB), an independent group of 14 professionals from 11 countries, found significant multi-organ
damage such as lung impairment, marked reduction in control of limb movements, reduced memory function in survivors and a range of other neurotoxic
injuries.
1996
The Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning,
EPA RPM published
Preparedness and Response) Rules
1999
Chemical Safety, Site Security and Sambhavna (possibility) Trust
Fuels Regulatory Relief Act passed
Union Carbide and Dow Chemicals Merge to
form the world’s largest chemical company
1999
Current Issues
Clean-up: Chemicals leaching and
contaminating surrounding water table
What needs to be done
1.Medical care, monitoring and research from a long-term, survivor-centered
perspective.
2.Comprehensive investigation for the health of the gas and water affected.
3.Finances for the necessary monitoring, treatment and research
4.The health care system geared towards long-term, preventative care.
This poster was compiled based on information contained in numerous internet (public) resources including The International Campaign For Justice in Bhopal (www.bhopal.net) and the Bhopal Medical Appeal (www.bhopal.org) and links to resources
posted on these two sites.