25 years ago one of the worst human/environmental disasters the word has known,occurred.
On December 3, 1984, more than 27 tons of poisonous gases leaked from a storage tank at a Union Carbide pesticide factory into the heart of Bhopal city, immediately killing 8,000 people.On that day soon 25 years ago, nearly half a million people were exposed to poisonous methyl isocyanate during a runaway chemical reaction at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal . Since then, more than 22,000 people have died and 150,000 survivors continue to be chronically ill, as the Indian government and Dow (Union Carbide's owner) have repeatedly failed to address their liabilities for the atrocities of the world’s worst industrial disaster. Survivors and their children continue to suffer long-term health effects ranging from cancer and tuberculosis to birth defects and chronic fevers. Multiple studies have found mercury, nickel and other toxins in the local groundwater and dangerous levels of toxins including lead in the breast milk of women who live near the factory zone.
Most of the current generation doesnt even know or remember what happened here nearly 25 years ago. What is harder to imagine is that, after all of these years, second and third generations of Bhopali children are still being poisoned by toxins left at the factory that have been steadily seeping into their water supply. There are still children being born without lips, noses or ears. Sometimes complete hands are missing. Women have severe reproductive problems.
Most of the current generation doesnt even know or remember what happened here nearly 25 years ago. What is harder to imagine is that, after all of these years, second and third generations of Bhopali children are still being poisoned by toxins left at the factory that have been steadily seeping into their water supply. There are still children being born without lips, noses or ears. Sometimes complete hands are missing. Women have severe reproductive problems.
Let´s not forget Bhopal, mon amour..ever.
