Site Assessment and Accelerated Feasibility Study for Cleanup of the Former Union Carbide Pesticide Plant at Bhopal, India

摘要

On December 3rd, 1984, a massive release of toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas occurred at the pesticide plant of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, which resulted in the death or injury of many thousands of people, primarily in the adjacent residential areas. The accident at the chemical plant in Bhopal is known as the worst and most tragic one of its kind ever encountered in history. The entire facility was shut down after the accident. However, significant amounts of wastes and apparently contaminated materials could still be encountered on site and on adjacent premises in autumn of 2004, i.e., at the twentieth anniversary of the accident. Wastes were partly dumped in drums, containers or sacks which had been deposited in some of the former production facilities. Apparently, further amounts of wastes were still buried on site and in landfills adjacent to the site. Contaminated soil and ground water has not been not cleaned up yet. Most studies which had been conducted after the accident addressed the long-term consequences of acute and occupational exposition of humans to MIC. Less attention was paid to the situation regarding the UCIL site itself and the adjacent residential areas, particularly with respect to contaminants other than MIC, i.e., particularly pesticides and dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPL). Studies on soil, ground water, stockpiles, and buildings showed significant site contamination. Data provided by various organizations at different times were not always consistent, however. Below, we report the results of an assessment of the current situation on site and recommendations for an effective clean-up.