ABSTRACT
The multitude of products and diversity of processes in the petrochemical industries is vast, with numerous situations that may lead to high risk situations both for workers and communities neighboring operations. Perhaps one of the worst chemical disasters of the century was Bhopal, India. The city of Bhopal (1991 pop. 1,063,662), central India, capital of Madhya Pradesh state, was founded in 1728. Bhopal is a railway junction and industrial center, producing electrical equipment, textiles, and jewelry. Landmarks include the old fort (built 1728) and the Taj-ul-Masajid mosque, the largest in India. On Dec. 3, 1984, the worst industrial accident in history occurred there when a toxic gas leak from a Union Carbide insecticide plant killed over 6,400 people and seriously injured 30,000 to 40,000. The Indian government sued on behalf of over 500,000 victims and in 1989 settled for $470 million in damages and exempted company employees from criminal prosecution. The Indian judiciary rejected that exemption in 1991, and the company’s Indian assets were seized (1992) after its officials failed to appear to face charges.
