Abstract This document discusses the Bhopal Disaster that occurred in 1984 in Bhopal India. The paper discusses how Union Carbide accidentally released over 40 tons of methyl isocyanate, a pesticide chemical, into the surrounding city streets of Bhopal. Since this gaseous form of the chemical was heavier than air it quickly spread among the busy community and ultimately resulted in over 15000 deaths. This research examines the character of Union Carbide's crisis management and its disavowal of any responsibility whatsoever in the accident as well as its guilt avoidance communication strategies that misinformed almost every constituent of the corporation.
From the Paper "In 1984, what has become known as the Bhopal Disaster occurred at a Union Carbide pesticide plant that was located within the center of Bhopal, India in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Many researchers claim this is the single most disastrous industrial accident in history (Hopfl & Matilal, 2005). The accident began with the release over 40 tons of methyl isocyanate, a form of pesticide chemical, that is heavier than air and which subsequently spread at ground level through the busy streets of Bhopal. It is estimated that the escaped gases affected as many as 600,000 individuals although it might be as few as 150,000 but significant in any case (Hopfl & Matilal, 2005)."
Abstract This paper studies the incident that took place on December 2, 1984 in Bhopal, India when a series of mechanical and human failures led to the worst industrial disaster known to mankind--a gas leak of 40 tons of methyl isocyanate from a Union Carbide chemical plant that killed an estimated 10,000 people. The effects of this tragic incident were global. Corporate environmental awareness was raised to new levels as industrial giants worldwide scrambled to preemptively reevaluate the safety of their own chemical processes, while lawmakers put together new environmental regulations in response to Bhopal. Public environmental awareness was also brought to the forefront as the "right-to-know" movement gained impetus. Ultimately, these three factors paved the way for environmental auditing and management systems--because these were the controls that gave the chemical industry the tools to prevent another Bhopal, while also meeting expected new government regulations and gathering information to satisfy the public's newly awakened interest in industrial processes.
From the Paper "One of the largest and most horrific industrial disasters of modern times took place in Bophal, India on the evening of December 2, 1984, when about 40 tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from an underground storage tank at a Union Carbide chemical plant into the environment, killing 2,000 to 3,400 people almost immediately and leaving about 8,000 others to die gradually from exposure to the killing fumes.1 The gas polluted an area of over 18 square kilometers and displaced over 500,000 people. There were at least 250,000 people injured as a result of this accident. The MIC gas caused severe respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, eye and lung diseases, gynecological problems, psychological crisis, and many other medical problems before it had run its course. The sheer magnitude of the accident drew over 12,000 relief operations personnel to the area in hopes of rendering aid, but for many of the victims, it was already too late (Bisarya & Puri, 2001; EPA, 2001; Nolan & Street, 2000)."
Tags: act, air, auditing, caer, carbide, care, chemical, clean, disaster, environmental, epcra, gas, india, mic, responsible, union
Abstract This paper examines the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, its aftermath, and how the four "I's" - issues, interests, institutions, and information - manifest themselves in any discussion of this calamity. The paper maintains that the chemical industry is more intent upon fixing its image than fixing the problem. It adds that this marked unwillingness to put safety ahead of profit is a major reason why the Bhopal plant became so susceptible to the melt-down.The paper concludes that the tragedy could have been avoided, and turns responsibility over to NGOs, concerned government officials, and to the international community to see to it the chemical industry does not get away with such a crime again.
From the Paper "The ramifications of the tragedy do not begin and end simply with the human toll or with the lethargic pace of the clean-up - though both of those things are hugely important. Rather, one must also bear in mind the astonishing inability of Indian (and international) authorities to hold accountable those responsible for the disaster. For one thing, Union Carbide's Chief Executive Office at the time, Warren Anderson, was charged by local government officials with manslaughter in 1991. Instead of facing his accusers, Mr. Anderson successfully fled an international arrest warrant and a summons to appear before a US court. Even when he was finally unearthed in August of 2002 by Greenpeace - apparently living a life of quiet luxury in the Hamptons - neither the US government nor the Indian government expressed much interest in seeing him extradited to India to face trial. Drawing upon information provided by the official website of the Bhopal Medical Appeal & Sambhavna Trust foundation, it appears as though Mr. Anderson to this very day remains a free man (para.15)."
Abstract This paper examines how developing countries are particularly vulnerable to industrial crises and how, even though they often lack the infrastructure that is required to maintain sufficient technology, they are eager to set up modern industries. It looks at how, in many cases, since the local community is not well-informed and because the country of interest lacks the legal means to address environmental impacts of a certain industry, those companies take advantage of that fact and often, in order to cut down the costs even further, don?t implement safety and environmental protection measures that are mandatory in the country of origin. It uses, as an example, the Bhopal catastrophe in central India when thousands of people were killed and injured in 1984 from a chemical leak.
Outline
Background
The Chronology of a Disaster
Tragedy Analysis
The Aftermath
Conclusions
From the Paper "When the sun came up on the city of Bhopal, the day after the incident, the tragedy was far from over. The catastrophe hasn?t ended with the 3,800 and 11,000 permanently injured. The death toll from the incident, as a result of the exposure to the MIC and other vapors is still rising. According to the Welfare Commissioner's office in Bhopal at least 5325 people have died due to Union Carbide's poison gases until December 1992. Unofficial reports claim that until 1996, 16,000 people died of long-term health problems due to the exposure. From then on, 10-15 people are dying every month due to health complications that followed the exposure."
This paper discusses environmental auditing of companies to provide protection against pollution and poisonous gas and the incident at Bhopal and the Union Carbide Plants.
Abstract This paper states that ISO 14001 requires organizations to make three policy commitments of compliance, prevention of pollution, and continual improvement and are required to commit to all laws and regulations. The paper discusses the tragedy when thousands died in 1984 during a highly poisonous gas leak at the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, India.
Table of Contents
The Issue
Auditing EMSs for Conformity with ISO 14001
Bhopal Incident
Ten Years after The Bhopal Rehabilitation
Carbide Corporation
From the Paper "There are several laws that provide for auditing of companies to provide protection against pollution and poisonous gas, such as the disaster at Bhopal. ISO has developed requirements for bodies that offer EMS conformity assessments and registrations. "These documents include ISO 14004, which is an EMS guidance document and three auditing standards: ISO 14010, ISO 14011, and ISO 14012. ISO 14004 advises organizations on how to establish an EMS and design an environmental policy" (NAPA 1). "
Looks at the responsibility of the Union Carbide company in the 1984 tragedy in Bhopal, India and the 3M company for producing a faulty respiratory mask.
Abstract On December 3, 1984, a cloud of highly toxic gas rose above the city of Bhopal, India. When it settled, it instantly killed approximately 3,000 people and left up to 600,000 people dying slowly or suffering various kinds of medical problems. This paper examines the claims by Union Carbide that the company should not be held responsible as the explosion was a result of sabotage. The paper argues that the company should be held responsible as it failed to impose security measures that might have avoided such a tragedy. The paper then examines the case of 3M company which come under fire for marketing a respiratory mask that it (allegedly) knew was not as safe to use as claimed.
From the Paper "While disavowing any culpability in the incident, they nevertheless paid out $470 million (about Rs. 7.5 billion) plus an additional Rs. 43 million to Indian government agencies that were supposed to distribute the cash to survivors of the incident and to families of those killed or who have since died as a result of injuries sustained at the time (Economist. Par. 4). Generally, big corporations don't pay out this kind of cash unless they are forced to, and certainly not just to be nice. It follows that Union Carbide paid this huge sum as part of an effort to preserve (or restore) its reputation."
Abstract The writer begins this essay with a discussion of the metabolism of toxic substances. The writer explains that the rate of metabolism in effect defines the concentration of the toxic substance. The slower the metabolic rate the more easily the toxic substance enters systemic circulation. Further, in this paper the writer discusses possible poisoning from chemicals such as aspartame or aspirin. The writer concludes this study with a look at the Bhopal carbide plant disaster in 1984.
From the Paper "The human liver plays an important role in metabolizing and breaking down food material, (including toxic substances) before it can reach the circulatory system and affect the entire body. Nature has defined the liver as a first line defense mechanism against food materials and toxic substances that we may consume unknowingly. The metabolizing enzymes in the hepatocytes are very efficient and this defense mechanism is known as 'first pass effect'. Typically, Phase one reactions are mainly oxidative, reductive or hydrolytic processes and form substrates for phase two conjugations. The cytochrome p450 enzymes are mainly responsible for the Oxidative phase one reactions. These are a group of enzymes that are actually a family of proteins that can act upon a wide range of substrates. Lipophilic chemicals are oxidated to yield water-soluble chemicals. These enzymes also perform heterocyclic hydroxylations and analkylation reactions. The end products of the phase one reactions are ready for conjugation with glycine, glucuronic acid, etc and are easily excreted from the body via urine."
Describes the major public relations steps required for successful crisis management & details how Union Carbide violated each one in the aftermath of the Bhopal disaster.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 9 sources, 1994, $ 31.95
From the Paper " The Blundering of Union Carbide:
How One Company Refuses to Learn Public Relations
Breathing in methyl isocyanate gas kills within a few minutes. The gas works by breaking down red blood cells, eliminating the blood's ability to carry oxygen, and the lungs are unable to function. The resulting pressure on the vessels and arteries causes minor ruptures and the blood seeks escape from the body, usually through the eyes, ears, nose and throat (Avirook, 1994, 1). This is a part of the description that the world heard during the last days of 1984 as word filtered out from Bhopal India about a massive chemical leak that had emanated from a Union Carbide plant. Around midnight on December 2, 1984, the gas began leaking from the plant, and settled like a bright green cloud over the sleeping town. Within hours, 3,000 Indians.."
