Bhopal Disaster

The darkness of tertiary celestial latitude marked an industrial adventure when more than 40 tons of methyl radical radical isocyanate be adrift breaked from a pesticide kit and boodle in Bhopal, India that instantly lead to the expiration of approximately 3,800 people and causing permanent injuries for thousands more. The company involved shamelessly tried to avoid its legal responsibility. Nonetheless, a sum of $470 million was nonrecreational as compensation, a considerably small amount in comparing to the tinct from the consequences of this cataclysm.The aftermath of the disaster indicated the need for international standards for environmental recourse and pre wall socketive strategies to sustain from similar accidents. India has experienced quick industrialization since the disaster. patronage some positive changes to political sympathies policies and behavior in several industries, rapid and myopicly regulated industrial growth legato re of imports exposing India to a major threat. Degrading of environmental practices with adverse consequences to human health continues to guide throughout India. 2. IntroductionThe Bhopal disaster, likewise known as the Bhopal muff tragedy was an industrial disaster that took bum at the core Carbide pesticide place in the Indian metropolis of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh releasing tons of ototoxic chemics and bodgees. This state is carried out with the neutral of obtaining suitable knowledge of the entire tragedy that took place and providing a small substantive summary of the mishap. Firstly, objectives and the anxiety structure of the Union Carbide be discussed in this report to gain an overview of the company involved and its practices.Subsequently, an observation is done with regards to the industrial solvees and operations of the shew to understand the on goings of the plant. The critical area of this report summarizes the key risks and contri besidesing factors that ultimately led to t he accident which provides an insight of the flaws in the plant. The consequences of the aftermath are accordingly identified to provide an overview of the negative impact resulting from the disaster followed by a brief discussion on the improvements that should be done in the management outlines to prevent similar accidents from happening in the near future. 3.Objective and Structure of the Management The Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), a chemical factory which formed its establishment in 1969 near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in India and was owned by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) and the Indian authorities. Pesticides such(prenominal) as carbaryl was produced in this plant and in 1979, a new addition was made whereby the methyl isocyanate (MIC) plant was introduced to the site. Prior to 1979, the methyl isocyanate was imported from its parent company in the United States and India was one of the three dozen countries whereby the parent company had affiliates and fear interes t.It was stated that the UCC had done all-inclusive research on the chemical and had sufficient knowledge on handling the chemical. methyl radical Isocyanate, one of the many intermediates employ in pesticides is known to be a precise dotty chemical which weighs much lighter than pissing simply twice the weight of air. In the event that the gas escapes to the atmosphere, it will remain close to ground and this passing sensitive chemical can react with many substances which could cause unplayful damage.UCIL was proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1984 and was making sales of approximately $200 million annually whereby 14 plants were existence operated and it was discriminate into 5 operating divisions making it a diversified manufacturing cin one casern. The shares were publicly traded on the Stock Exchange 24% of these shares were owned by government get away insurance companies whilst 50. 9% of the shares were owned by UCC as relegate of a corporate global busin ess strategy. http//www. wikipedia. org/bhopaldisaster Due to its centralized location in India which gave it a competitive edge, Bhopal was chosen as the site for the UCILs plant.Transporting products were jutting by the existence of railway systems that spanned around the country which evidently brought to vast damage nest egg. Furthermore, the location of the plant being situated nearby a prominent lake guaranteed sufficient water system supple for the chemical processes. Electricity of necessity were in any case available in Bhopal to allow enough electricity to the plant that enabled the plant to operate 24 hours. The origin on the Bhopal plant was to supply pesticide in redact to protect the Indian agricultural labor.These pesticides were made to put up to the Indian market and to gain the ability to transform its agricultural arena into a modern activity. No doubt the benefits, the plant also had its perks. India is equable nonetheless a developing country which at current static lacks the infrastructure necessary to support this chemical plant. Nevertheless, companies invested in the plant debileness to realize the flaws in the infrastructure. The impracticality of the plants management brought the creation of a low cost plant with minimal safety features. UCIL also had weak policies, procedures and regulations for their workers.The managements goals and missions were hang beyond the plants might and this is say to be one of the main causes of the tragedy. 4. Industrial Processes and Operation Union Carbide is a known plant that produces the pesticide plant in the Indian city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh for agriculture purposes in India. Using MIC as an intermediate, an alternative trademark cross off name for carbaryl is also known as Sevin. Until 1979, MIC was imported from the United States of America. Bayer, some another(prenominal) known manufacturer successfully produced carbaryl without using MIC which evidently led to a gr eater manufacturing cost.Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is an organic compound that consists of molecules and in 1888, it was discovered as an ester of isocyanic acid. The yield of carbate pesticides such as carbaryl, carbofuran, methomyl and aldicarb is an intermediate chemical of Methyl isocyanate. These pesticides were also being employ in the production of rubber and adhesives. Methyl isocyanate is a very idle chemical which can lead to chronic diseases and death. The chemical process or route that was use in Bhopal plant was to form a reaction between the methylamine with phosgene which could bring to the production of methyl isocyanate.Subsequently, this methyl isocyanate was then reacted with 1 naphthol to form the end product. This route varies from the MIC free route used elsewhere in which the similar raw materials are used but in a different manufacturing secernate. This process would begin by forming a reaction between the phosgene and naphtol to produce chloroformate ester which would then be reacter with methyl amine. both one of these processes would require the chemicals to be stored in large armoured combat vehiclefuls. In the available side, the plant workers were encouraged to use English manuals, even though simply a minority of them had a grasp of the language.Only six of the original cardinal operators remained in service with MIC by 1984. There were no personnel to pay off on the position of a maintenance supervisor to be move on the night duty and furthermore, instrument readings were only taken any two hours which differs from the normal practice. Through a union, workers made a grave and complained about these difficulties but no attention was given to them. http//www. wikipedia. org/bhopaldisaster The refrigeration system was designed to inhibit the volatilization of MIC whereby based on the manuals, it was advised that the MIC should be kept at 20 degrees.However, since May 1984 this refrigeration system had been shut downw ards in Bhopal. Current practice shows that the methyl isocyanate should be kept at a lower place 5C and should be checked on all the time. Steam kettle holes were also used for the purposes of cleaning the pipes. 5. Risks that Lead to the Accident Bhopal gas disaster was an industrial tragedy that took place at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. At midnight on 3rd December 1984, it was reported that the plant had accidently released Methyl isocyanate gas and this mishap was open to more than 500,000 people.Official death toll proclaimed by the government of Madhya Pradesh confirmed that a total of 3,787 deaths were the result of this gas tragedy. Factors leading to this tremendous gas leak include the use of hazardous chemicals such as MIC instead of a less dangerous but more expensive chemical. It was also noted that the flare rule and the vent gas scrub brush had been dys take to the woodsal for the past 5 months before the disaster took p lace. This eventually led to the gas scrubber not performing its function to treat the escaping gases with sodium hydroxide that subsequently brought the concentration down to a safe level.Investigations in the aftermath of the disaster pointed out that even if the scrubber was in a good working condition, the disaster would not arrive at been prevailed as the maximum pressure it could handle was only one-quarter of that which was present in the mishap. Improper designing of the flare tower itself contributed to the tragedy as the tower could only support one-quarter of the volume of gas that was leaked in 1984. Since the cease of production in the early 1980s, the maintenance of the plant has continuously deteriorated up to an intolerable limit which resulted in the failure of several safety systems.The steam boiler which existed to clean the pipes was out of service for reasons which are unknown. Furthermore, the omission of the slip finesse plates installation has played its r ole in causing this disaster. This omission had well-timed led to a large amount water from the pipe cleanings to leak into the MIC tanks through faulty valves leading the temperature to rise to a level whereby the tank was not designed to support that subsequently resulted in a large amount of toxic gases to be released..The MIC tank itself has been malfunctioned for roughly a hebdomad which caused other tanks to be used in that week. Instead of taking restorative action and repairing the dysfunctional tank, it was just left(a) to stew. Overall to conclude, the physique up in temperature and pressure was strongly believed to be the cause in the magnitude of the toxic gas released. Economic conditions also played its part in contributing to this mishap. It was said that the leaking of the large amount of water into the MIC tank was also overdue to bad maintenance and leaking valves.The pipes were not repaired as it was believed to be very pricey and time consuming. Safety syste ms including the MIC tank refrigeration systems were also shut down to in order to bring cost savings and it is of the opinion that the MIC refrigeration system alone would have prevented the tragedy from happening. http//www. wisegeek. com/what-was-the-bhopal-disaster. htm worldly corroding that took place in the pipelines was also the contributing factor to this disaster. deoxycytidine monophosphate steel valves that were being used in the factory would corrode when exposed to acid.Based on investigations, a leaking of carbon steel valves was found on the night of the disaster. Overall, several factors led to this industrial disaster namely caused by poor maintenance and regulations. 6. Consequences of the effect of the accident The Bhopal disaster can be said to be one of the worlds worst catastrophe that took place at the Union Carbide pesticide plant in the city of Bhopal, India. On 3rd December 1984, the plant released MIC and other toxic gases exposing more than 500,000 peo ple.The city of Bhopal was skirt with a mixture of poisonous gases causing great panic as people woke up with burning sensations in their lungs. Based on the government of Madhya Pradesh, the effect of the hazardous gas had caused 3,787 confirmed deaths and leaving many trampled in panic. Other sources estimated that around 8,000 people died within the next 72 hours from gas related diseases and roughly 100,000 200,000 people are estimated to have permanent injuries at different degrees. http//www1. american. edu/ted/bhopal. htmMass funerals and cremations were taking place as well as establishment of bodies in the Namada River. The health care system became tremendously overloaded as approximately 170,000 people required treatments at hospitals and temporary dispensaries. Authorities had marked 36 wards as being gas affected. Acute symptoms from the gases are burning in the respiratory tract, eyes, breathlessness, vomiting and choking which ultimately led to death. Humans were n ot the only ones affected from this terrible tragedy. Approximately 2,000 buffaloes, goats and other animals carcasses were collected and buried.The effect on trees could be seen forthwith as the leaves color and fell of within a few days. Food supplies became scarce due to the fear being felt by suppliers. Further shortages were also caused once fishing activities was prohibited. http//www. bhopal. com/pdfs/browning. pdf Overall, this mishap has brought fear and has frightened many people as the Bhopal city was turned into a toxic city. A settlement was ultimately concluded in 1989, whereby UCC agreed to pay the Indian government a sum of $470 million in full and final settlement of its courteous liability. After the lap f 25 years, 390 tons of toxic chemicals were left neglected at the plant which continued to pollute the ground water which affected thousands of residents who relied on it. 7. Improvements to prevent the accident Substantive investigations pointed out that the main reason which escalated this disaster is due to the managements intention on reducing their expenses. The design of the plant had been modified by the Indian engineers in order to bring cost savings. This practice should be improvised and the plant should be designed thoroughly and properly to support the volume of production and the type of chemical produced.A contributing factor to the tragedy was weak management practices that should be made more stringent. A proactive policy should be adopted whereby dysfunctional items and separate of the plant should be fixed immediately instead of prolonging the situation despite it being costly and time consuming. exacting maintenance should be carried out on a routine bum and the MIC tanks should be continuously monitored to ensure that all processes are smooth going. Rules and regulations set for the plant should be adhered and complied to prevent any set bet ons. ttp//www. wisegeek. com/what-was-the-bhopal-disaster. htm As the plant s production involves a hazardous chemical, more experienced workers in dealing with such reactive chemicals should be hired instead on focalisation on low labor cost. Trainings should be provided continuously to improve their expertise. Furthermore, extensive research and studies on how to handle chemicals of this sort should be carried out forward to any processes to ensure that the staff has sufficient knowledge on what to do and what to expect.Despite sufficient trainings and research, mishaps can occur any at given time. chase that, it is always best to have a detailed contingency and back up plans in order to contain any rotten situation. A good practice is always to expect the unexpected in order to be ready for mishaps. This tragedy has affected the lives of many in the Bhopal city. It is recommended that such factories as this plant should not be located in residential areas and best located in the outskirts to prevent residents being exposed to toxic gases.Ultimately, this disaster would have been prevailed with good management practices, abiding to rules and regulations set and also focusing on safety systems instead of cost savings. http//www1. american. edu/ted/bhopal. htm * 8. Conclusion * The Bhopal gas disaster marked one of the most tragic accidents in the world. The pesticide plant in Bhopal, India was managed by UCIL, a subsidiary of the UCC, had begun the production of a hazardous chemical, methyl isocyanate in 1979. The findings from this research pointed out that UCIL had weak policies and regulations and was prioritizing more on cost savings at the expense of the plants safety. The in operation(p) side of the plant was suffering from lack of staff namely in that respect was no maintenance supervisor responsible to monitor the MIC tanks. Furthermore, critical parts of the plants were being left unattended when it was dysfunctional due to it being costly and time consuming to repair. Safety systems of the plant were being comprised i n order to reduce expenses. * * To conclude, the main improvement to be done is to emphasize on the plants design to support the volume and type of production.Stringent policies and regulations should be set and adhered to in order to prevent similar accidents. Management should divert from a cost savings mindset and priorities more on the plants safety systems. * Despite being 25 years since the incident, tons of toxic chemicals were still abandoned at the plant and continued to pollute the ground water that affected thousands of residents. Overall, this disaster has brought awareness that international standards for environmental safety should be enforced to prevent similar mishaps. .References 1. Bhopal disaster,online,retrieved 15 November 2009 from http//www. wikipedia. org/bhopaldisaster 2. Bhopal disaster, online, retrieved 15 November 2009 from http//www1. american. edu/ted/bhopal. htm 3. Jackson B. cook 1993, Health, Safety and Environmental Programs Union Carbide Corporat ion, online, retrieved 16 November 2009 from http//www. bhopal. com/pdfs/browning. pdf 4. What was the Bhopal disaster, online, retrieved 18 November 2009 from http//www. wisegeek. com/what-was-the-bhopal-disaster. htm