BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY

DEC 3 1984
 What is bhopal gas tragedy ?
• The Bhopal gas tragedy, also known as the
Bhopal disaster
• one of the worst industrial disasters in history
• It occurred on the night of December 2-3,
1984
• the city of Bhopal, located in the Indian state
of Madhya Pradesh
Why bhopal gas tragedy happened
• The Bhopal disaster occurred when about 45
tons of the gas methyl isocyanate ( MIC )
escaped from a plant owned by a subsidiary of
the U.S.-based Union Carbide Corporation
 What is MIC
• Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is a highly reactive
and toxic chemical compound
• When it comes into contact with water, it can
undergo hydrolysis, which is a chemical
reaction with water
• CH3NCO (Methyl Isocyanate) + H2O (Water) → CH3NH2
(Methylamine) + CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
 Working of plant
• Production Process→ MIC Production

• Chemical Storage→ Storage Tanks

I. Tanks – E610 (50% MIC and 50% nitrogen )
II. Tanks − E611 (50% MIC and 50% nitrogen )
III. Tanks − E619 ( Empty for Emergency )
Area
How bhopal gas tragedy happened
• Chemical Involved
• Unsafe Storage
• Water Entry
• Reaction
• Gas Release
• Lack of Emergency Response
 Chemical Involved
• The UCIL plant in Bhopal produced pesticides,
and one of the key chemicals used in the
production process was methyl isocyanate
(MIC), an extremely toxic and volatile
substance. MIC is highly reactive and can
release toxic gases when exposed to water.
 Unsafe Storage
• The disaster was primarily triggered by the
presence of a large quantity of MIC stored at
the plant. This MIC was stored in tanks, some
of which were not properly maintained and
were in poor condition.
 Water Entry
• Water entered one of the MIC storage tanks
(Tank 610) due to a combination of factors,
including rust and corrosion on the tank's
walls, a failure to maintain refrigeration units
meant to keep the MIC cool, and a lack of
regular safety inspections. The exact cause of
water entry remains a subject of debate, but it
initiated a chemical reaction.
 Reaction
• The presence of water in the MIC storage tank
led to a runaway chemical reaction. MIC
reacts with water to produce heat and highly
toxic gases, including hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
and other lethal compounds. The reaction
quickly escalated, causing a significant
increase in temperature and pressure within
the tank.
 Gas Release
• Due to the buildup of pressure and heat, the
safety valve designed to release excess gas
malfunctioned. As a result, a massive release
of toxic gas, primarily MIC, but also other
hazardous chemicals, occurred from the tank
into the atmosphere.
Plant
After tregedy
 Lack of Emergency Response
• The plant was ill-prepared to handle such an
emergency. Safety systems, including alarms
and vent-gas scrubbers meant to neutralize
toxic gases, were either inoperative or poorly
maintained. There was no effective emergency
response plan in place.
 Main causes
• Cost cutting
• No proper plan
• Unskilled labour
• Safety measure
• Alarm system in plant
• Alarm system for city
• Ignore to things
• Phosgene gas
 causes
• Unsafe Storage and Maintenance of MIC
• Water Entry into MIC Storage Tank
• Runaway Reaction
• Gas Release
• Lack of Emergency Preparedness
• Proximity to a Highly Populated Area
 symptoms of bhopal gas tragedy
• Respiratory Distress
• Eye Irritation
• Skin Irritation
• Gastrointestinal Issues
• Neurological Symptoms
• Eye and Vision Problems
• Persistent Coughing
• Chest Pain
• Long-Term Health Effects
• Mental Health Effects
Victium
 Mistakes of union carbide
• Poor Maintenance
• Lack of Emergency Preparedness
• Lack of Information Sharing
• Inadequate Safety Culture
• Proximity to Residential Areas
• Inadequate Monitoring and Regulation
• Warning Systems
• Legal and Accountability Failures
 Failures

• Pressure valve
• vent gas scrubber
• All tank full
• Faulty indicater
• Disconnect the alarm for plant
• Disconnect the alarm for city
• Poor maintence
Vent gas scrubber
Plant
Any question
Thank you