Court allows disposal of remaining Union Carbide toxic waste at Pithampur

Context

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday gave its nod to the State government following an assurance from the latter that it could incinerate the remaining 40-year-old toxic waste of Bhopal’s defunct Union Carbide factory within 72 days at a private facility in Pithampur

Bhopal gas disaster

• The Bhopal Gas Disaster, one of the world's worst industrial accidents, occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

• A highly toxic gas, methyl isocyanate (MIC), leaked from a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL).

• The leak exposed over 500,000 residents to the gas, leading to immediate fatalities and long-term health complications.

Reasons for the Disaster

• Poor Maintenance: Safety systems, like gas scrubbers and cooling systems, were either non functional or inadequate.

• Negligence: Lack of proper training for workers and failure to follow safety protocols.

• Cost-Cutting Measures: Union Carbide had reduced staff and safety standards to lower operational costs.

• Design Flaws: Faulty plant design increased the risk of gas leaks.

• Storage Issues: Excessive quantities of MIC were stored at the plant, contrary to safety guidelines.

Methyl Isocyanate (CH3NCO)

• Volatile, colorless liquid that is extremely flammable, and potentially explosive when mixed with air.

• Reacts with water, giving off heat and producing methylamine and carbon dioxide.

• Liquid and vapor are toxic when inhaled, ingested, or exposed to the eyes or skin.

Initiatives taken to tackle Chemical accidents

• NDMA guidelines on Chemical Disaster Management: Inspection System by Regulatory Bodies, Establish Information networking system with states and districts on priority basis etc.

• Explosives Act, 1884: To control manufacture, possession, use, transportation and importation of Explosives.

• Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Response) Rules 1996.