Question

The gas released in Bhopal tragedy was _________.
(a)Methyl Isocyanate
(b)Potassium isothiocyanate
(c)Ethyl isocyanate
(d)Sodium isothiocyanate

Answer 1

It is a colorless highly flammable liquid that evaporates quickly when exposed to the air. It has a sharp, strong odor. It is used in the production of pesticides, polyurethane foam, and plastics.

Complete answer:
The Bhopal gas tragedy was a disaster that happened due to an accident. It happened at a Union Carbide subsidiary pesticide plant in Bhopal, India. On 3 December 1984, the plant released 42 tonnes of toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, exposing more than 500,000 people to toxic gases, which eventually led to their deaths.

Additional Information: The Bhopal Gas tragedy happened in Bhopal on December 3, 1984. This incident happened due to the leakage of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from three storage tanks of the Union Carbide factory. MIC gas was used for the manufacturing of pesticides. In the accident, about 36 tonnes of poisonous MIC gas got released into the air of Bhopal. MIC gas causes a burning sensation in the eyes. It removes oxygen from the lungs resulting in breathing problems and chest tightness, and also cyanide generation in the body. Which ultimately turns fatal and leads to death. More than 2500 people died in the Bhopal Gas tragedy. Around 17,000 people became permanently disabled.

So, the correct answer is, option (a) ‘ Methyl isocyanate.’

Note: Health Effects:
-Methyl isocyanate is irritating and corrosive to the eyes, tract, and skin. Acute exposure to high vapor concentrations may cause severe pulmonary edema and injury to the alveolar walls of the lung, severe corneal damage, and death. Survivors of the acute exposures may exhibit long-term respiratory and ocular effects. Methyl isocyanate could also be a dermal and respiratory sensitizer.
-Mechanisms of methyl isocyanate-induced toxicity are not known. Continual respiratory and ocular effects may reflect methyl isocyanate-induced immunologic effects. Methyl isocyanate can also cross the placenta and leads to entering it into a developing fetus. The people who are vulnerable to the toxic effects of methyl isocyanate include those with existing disorders of the respiratory system or eyes.