The 40th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy will be observed on December 3, 2024.
About Methyl Isocyanate (MIC)
- Appearance: A flammable, colourless liquid with a pungent odour.
- Chemical formula of MIC: CH3NCO or C2H3NO).
- Behavior: Evaporates quickly when exposed to air.
- Density: Gaseous MIC is denser than air, accumulating at ground level.
- Production: Obtained through the reaction of methylamine with phosgene.
- Uses:
- Primarily serves as a chemical intermediate in the production of pesticides.
- Utilized in the manufacture of polyurethane foams and plastics.
- Reactivity: Reacts violently with water.
- Incompatibility: Not compatible with oxidizers, acids, alkalis, amines, iron, tin, and copper.
- Antidote: None available.
- Health Impacts
- Skin and Eye Contact: Causes irritation and can lead to severe ocular damage.
- Ingestion: Produces severe gastrointestinal irritation.
- Inhalation: Leads to pulmonary edema, injury to alveolar walls, and potentially death.
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- Bhopal Gas Tragedy: It is a catastrophic industrial disaster at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Toxic Gas Leak: The disaster was caused on December 3, 1984 when approximately 40 tons of toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked out of a pesticide factory in the city of Bhopal.
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Present Status of the Toxic Waste Disposal
- Funds Released: ₹126 crore was allocated in March 2024 by the Union government to Madhya Pradesh for disposal of 337 MT of the toxic waste, which was collected and kept in the premises of the factory in 2005.
- No Ground Action: Despite funds, the state government has not started the disposal process due to administrative hurdles.
Reasons for the Persistence of Hazardous Waste
- Legal Efforts and Initial Actions (2004-2007)
- A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2004 sought Dow Chemicals’ accountability.
- Proposed incineration at BEIL (Gujarat) scrapped due to protests.
Dow Chemicals
- In 2001, Dow Chemical acquired Union Carbide and accepted responsibility for its liabilities in cases such as claims from asbestos victims in the US.
- However, it refused to address the unresolved liabilities in Bhopal.
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- Incineration is a combustion process in which the waste material is burned in the presence of oxygen by applying high temperature.
- Supreme Court Directive
- In 2010, the Supreme Court allowed 346 MT of waste to be incinerated at Pithampur Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF), Madhya Pradesh, following a trial run.
- Challenges with Incineration Facilities (2012)
- The Madhya Pradesh government filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court opposing the incineration of the toxic waste at Pithampur, citing concerns about potential pollution of the Yashwant Sagar Dam, a key water source for Indore, and health risks to nearby residents.
- A German company, GIZ, had previously offered to transport and incinerate 346 metric tonnes of the waste in Hamburg for ₹25 crore.
- However, the plan was abandoned after opposition from German environmental organizations and activists.
- Failed Attempts and Delays (2015-2023)
- Reports revealed six out of seven test runs at the facility were unsuccessful, releasing toxic chemicals.
- Lack of consensus between the Centre and the state stalled progress for seven years.
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Risks of Disposing of Toxic Waste
- Health Risks from Emissions: Incineration of toxic waste poses significant health risks due to the release of harmful emissions.
- A 2022 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report highlighted that during six out of seven trial runs, residents were exposed to high levels of dioxins and furans.
- Impact of Organochlorines: Incineration could lead to the release of large quantities of organochlorines and carcinogenic chemicals.
- These chemicals, including dioxins and furans, are known to harm both human health and the environment.
- Toxicity of Dioxins: Dioxins are a group of chemically related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs).
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dioxins are highly toxic and can:
- Cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormonal functions and increase the risk of cancer.
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Ongoing Suffering from the Bhopal Disaster
- Unresolved Hazardous Waste:
- Even after 40 years of the Bhopal gas tragedy, the plan to dispose of 337 MT of toxic waste remains unimplemented.
- The government has yet to devise a plan to address the 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil plus mercury and nearly 150 tonnes of underground waste dumps present in the factory premises.
- The orders of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) are ignored for years as groundwater contamination spreads.
- Groundwater Contamination
- Toxic Spread: Studies have revealed contamination of groundwater in residential areas, outside the factory contaminated with heavy metals and other toxic substances, which could lead to cancer and other diseases.
- Expansion of Contamination: Experts warn that contamination is spreading further over time.
- In 2018, the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research identified 42 colonies affected by contaminated water near the abandoned Union Carbide factory.
- A 2022 study by the Bhopal-based Sambhavna Trust Clinic reported contamination in 29 additional colonies.
- Court Observations: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) highlighted the risk of leachate contaminating surface and underground water and spreading further during rains, polluting river bodies and other areas.
- Toxic Incineration Risks: Emissions from trial burns release carcinogenic chemicals like dioxins and furans, harming residents and the environment.
- Government Apathy:
- Delayed Action: Despite multiple court orders, cleanup efforts remain insufficient and slow.
- Neglect of Accountability: No strict measures to hold the polluter accountable for the ₹310 crore cleanup costs.
- Victims’ Struggles:
- Persistent Health Issues: Respiratory, reproductive, and developmental problems still plague survivors.
- Lack of Closure: Despite decades, no comprehensive rehabilitation or cleanup has been achieved.
Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
- About: The Act was introduced after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
- Mandate for Insurance Coverage: It mandates enterprises handling hazardous substances to have a public liability insurance policy.
- Insurance Coverage Scope: The insurance covers claims for death, injury, or property damage caused by hazardous substances.
- Insurance Premium Allocation: The premium collected from industries contributes to an Environment Relief Fund.
- Purpose of the Fund: The Environment Relief Fund is designed to provide compensation to victims of disasters similar to the Bhopal tragedy.
- Compensation Process:
- Victims can file claims with the Collector within 5 years of the incident.
- The Collector holds an inquiry, considers evidence, and determines compensation.
- The compensation is awarded irrespective of the company’s negligence.
- Criticisms of the Act:
- Outdated Compensation Amounts: The compensation rates were set nearly two decades ago and are considered inadequate.
- Maximum compensation for death or permanent disability is Rs. 25,000, with a reimbursement of up to Rs. 12,500 for medical expenses.
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Conclusion
- The cleanup of the hazardous waste from the Bhopal Gas Tragedy site remains a significant challenge, with years of delayed action and inadequate measures.
- Comprehensive, immediate action is needed to properly dispose of this hazardous waste to prevent further contamination and protect the health of local communities.
December 2, 2024
