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Rushain Smith
UNION CARBIDE Bhopal Plant Disaster BHOPAL Contributing Factors Effect on Human Health Vulnerable Group Risk Assessment Risk Management Risk Communication Agency in Jamaica Conclusion
Case Study:
AMONG THE 500,000 PEOPLE EXPOSED TO THE GAS, 20,000 HAVE DIED TILL DATE AND 120,000 CONTINUE TO SUFFER DEVASTATING HEALTH EFFECTS AS A RESULT OF THEIR EXPOSURE.
Vulnerable Groups The entire Local populations are vulnerable to exposure to all the chemicals found in this
.
Reproductive Hazard Association between exposure to Methyl Isocyanate and miscarriages, also affect fertility in men and women.
Risk Assessment
Toxic Materials in Soil and Water Lead, Nickel, Copper, Chromium, and chlorobenzenes were found in soil samples. Mercury was found to be between 20,000 to 6,000,000 times the standard level in soil. The scrubber and flare stack were in-operational so the MIC vapour was discharged directly to atmosphere.
Risk Assessment
Risk Management
No plan existed for coping with a disaster of this magnitude. With the safety of Indian citizens at mind, regular maintenance should continue to prevent any disasters -The managements reasoning seemed to be that since the plant had ceased all production, no threat remained
Risk Management
Risk Communication
Workers were forced to use English manuals, even though only a few understands the language Several internal studies which exhibited severe contamination were not made public Lack of knowledge of treatment in the local hospitals. Neighbors unaware of risk and danger
Risk Communication
CONCLUSIONS
There were a number of clear contributory factors that caused this disaster. 1 Factory Siting A plant producing a variety of very dangerous compounds was sited: a) too close to a residential area b) on the wrong side with respect to the prevailing wind.
2 Abandonment of Safeguards
Economic problems and the resultant pressure to save money lead to the shutting down of vital safety systems. If the factory was uneconomic it would have proved a more sensible option to shut it down.
3 Medical Unpreparedness Not enough information on the toxicity of the factorys products and lack of knowledge of treatment in the local hospitals. The factory should have been much more pro-active in liasing with the municipal authorities in preparing an emergency evacuation plan.