Report on Scientific Studies on the Factors Related to Bhopal Toxic Gas Leakage

摘要

The leakage of a large quantity of highly toxic gas from a buried tank in which methyl isocyanate was stored at the Union Carbide plant at Bhopal on the night of 2/3 December, 1984 led to the tragic loss of life and to serious damage and disabilities of thousands of people. This is the worst tragedy in the history of chemical industry. A further quantity of methyl isocyanate present at that time in another adjacent tank represented a serious hazard of a further leakage. A number of measures were adopted to prevent a recurrence of such an explosive reaction. The methyl isocyanate was processed safely under 'Operation Faith.' A scientific study of the chemical nature and reactions of methyl isocyanate, the features of the facilities and controls for its manufacture, storage, utilization and disposal together with full examination of the buried tank and its constituents provides basis for outlining the factors and circumstances which led to the violent chemical transformations and rapid leakage of toxic gas. The results of such a study are presented in the report.