The catastrophic Bhopal gas tragedy, which occurred 40 years ago in Madhya Pradesh, continues to have far-reaching effects, with evidence suggesting that the toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide factory has impacted not only the survivors but also their descendants. According to Dr D K Satpathy, a former forensic expert and head of the Department of Forensics at Bhopal’s Gandhi Medical College, the harmful effects of the poisonous gases were evident in the next generations of those who survived the disaster.
The disaster, which occurred during the night of December 2 and 3, 1984, saw the release of toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from the Union Carbide pesticide factory. This incident led to the death of at least 3,787 people, with over five lakh individuals being affected by the gas leak in varying degrees.
Dr Satpathy, who played a crucial role in the aftermath of the disaster, shared his findings during an event organised by groups representing the survivors of the tragedy on Saturday. Dr Satpathy revealed that he personally performed 875 post-mortems on the first day of the disaster and went on to conduct 18,000 autopsies in the following five years.
Speaking candidly, Dr Satpathy described how Union Carbide, the company responsible for the leak, denied claims regarding the impact of the poisonous gases on unborn children of women exposed to the gas. The company had initially insisted that the gases would not be able to cross the placental barrier, suggesting that the unborn would be safe. However, Dr Satpathy’s research into blood samples from pregnant women who died due to the gas exposure showed otherwise. He found that 50 per cent of the poisonous substances present in the mothers’ blood were also found in the blood of the unborn children, proving that the toxic substances did indeed affect the next generation.
The children born to the women who survived the disaster, many of whom were exposed to the poisonous gases, were found to have these same toxic substances in their system. Dr Satpathy stated that these findings indicated long-term health effects, which continue to affect the health of future generations. He questioned why further research into this phenomenon was abruptly halted, and emphasised that such effects would likely persist for generations to come.
Describing the nature of the gases involved, Dr Satpathy explained that MIC gas, when it came into contact with water, produced a series of other toxic gases, some of which caused cancers, liver damage, and blood pressure issues. These long-term health consequences, he said, were not only confined to those who were immediately exposed but also to their children, grandchildren, and potentially even future generations. The effects, he suggested, would continue to be felt for decades.
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Rachna Dhingra, a prominent member of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action, supported Dr Satpathy’s claims. She highlighted that many of the first responders to the disaster, including senior doctors in the emergency wards and those involved in the mass burial of the victims, shared similar experiences about the long-term health issues caused by the gas leak. The testimonies from those who were on the front lines of the disaster emphasised the profound and lasting impact it had on both the physical and psychological health of the survivors.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the tragedy, Rashida Bee, president of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, announced a poster exhibition that will run until December 4. The exhibition aims to cover every aspect of the disaster and its aftermath, bringing attention to the ongoing struggles of the survivors and their families.
In addition to the exhibition, a rally will be held to focus on broader issues of global corporate crimes, particularly those related to industrial pollution and climate change. Bee called for greater accountability from corporations and governments, urging them to take responsibility for the long-term environmental and health consequences of such tragedies. The rally will serve as a platform to raise awareness of the need for stricter regulations on industrial practices to prevent further tragedies.
As the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy approaches, the event serves as a stark reminder of the continuing suffering of the survivors and the deep scars left on the community. Despite years of legal battles and compensation claims, many of the victims still face significant health issues, and the tragedy continues to be a symbol of the cost of corporate negligence and the need for stronger regulations to protect public health.
