Question

Which is wrong about the Bhopal tragedy?
(a) Radioactive fallout engulfed Bhopal.
(b) Methyl isocyanate gas leakage took place.
(c) Thousands of human beings died.
(d) It took place in the night of December 2-3-1984.

Answer 1

Bhopal gas tragedy was a gas leak incident on the night of 2-3-1984 at Union carbide India limited (UCL) plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Over 500,000 were exposed to the toxic gas. The toxic gas spread around the small towns near the plant and more than two thousand people died.

Complete answer:
The Bhopal gas tragedy is considered among the world’s worst industrial disasters. Leak of toxic methyl isocyanate gas at Union carbide plant in the central Indian city of Bhopal produced history’s worst industrial disaster. The gas had spread over a populated area killing at least 2000 people. The disaster has resulted from operating errors, design flaws, maintenance failures, training deficiencies etc. most of the plant's MIC related safety systems were malfunctioning and many valves and lines were in poor condition. Several vent gas scrubbers were malfunctioning. At least 30 tonnes of methyl isocyanate gas were leaked. It affected more than thousands of people around the city. MIC is a colorless liquid used for making pesticides. MIC is safe when maintained properly. The chemical is highly reactive to heat. When exposed to water MIC reacts with each other causing a heat reaction.
So, the correct answer is ‘Radioactive fallout engulfed Bhopal ‘.

Additional information:
- MIC may cause several health hazards. The immediate health effects include ulcers, respiratory issues, anorexia, persistent abdominal pain, genetic issues etc.
- long term effects may include increased pregnancy loss, decreased lung function, increased infant mortality, increased chromosomal abnormalities.
- MIC is an organic compound which acts as an intermediate chemical in the production of carbamate pesticides.

Note:
- Carbamate is a highly toxic substance used in making rubbers and adhesives.
- The UCL factory was built in 1969 to produce the pesticide sevin using MIC.
- MIC is usually manufactured by the reaction of monomethylamine and phosgene. It is toxic by inhalation, ingestion and contact in quantities low as 0.4 ppm.