Thirty years ago, on December 2 and 3, 1984, at least 30 tons of highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas was released in an industrial accident at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India. 600,000 people who lived near the plant were exposed to the deadly gas cloud. The gases stayed low to the ground, causing victims throats and eyes to burn, inducing nausea, and many deaths. Government figures estimate that 15,000 died, some immediately, others years later. Many of those who were exposed to the gas have given birth to physically and mentally disabled children. Human rights groups say that thousands of tons of hazardous waste remain buried underground, and the government has conceded the area is contaminated. Dow Chemical who bought Union Carbide after an agreement with the government was reached denies any liability for remediation.
More: The Atlantic
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