It is 25 years since the residents of Bhopal experienced one of the most horrific industrial accidents in world's history. The city continues to suffer from the after effects of that fateful day. We here at Chandamama sympathize with all the victims and their families who continue to struggle with the remnants of this devastating incident.
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh was home to the Union Carbide pesticide plant. On the night of December 2, 1984 the plant leaked a very toxic gas called methyl isocyanate (MIC). Within a matter of hours, thousands of lives were lost and many victims became very ill. Bhopal was seized by a state of panic. The worst was yet to come. The gas was so poisonous that it had a long-lasting effect on the victims and the generations to follow. Because of this, the Bhopal gas tragedy is considered as one of the deadliest industrial disasters.
Lessons learned
Tragedies such as the one in Bhopal teach us much about preserving our planet. Our environment is hardy, giving, and yet very unforgiving when we abuse it. The delicate eco-system needs our respect and commitment that we'll protect it. Anything toxic to the environment not only affects us in the present, but also impacts our physical and mental well-being in the long run. As in the case of the residents of Bhopal, the families of those who experienced the gas leak have debilitating health conditions. Children suffer from long-term ill health and hard to treat conditions. The environment still bears scars from that terrible night . The water and air are polluted. Sometimes a single exposure is all it takes to impact the environment.
Much like the poisonous MIC, there are many substances that are potential threats to the environment. They may seem harmless in the short-term, but a slow and steady exposure could have an impact on us. Take the example of plastic. Plastic shopping bags, plastic containers all get disposed of carelessly. They pollute the environment by leaching into the soil and thereby polluting the water and air we breathe. How about chemicals from used batteries? When tossed outside, they eventually leak and pollute the environment. The air you breathe could well contain traces of these unwanted substances. Other toxic waste is the case of metal pollution. Those who work in the jewelry or other metal working business melt and mold metals. Melting releases harmful vapors in the environment that can irritate your airways.
Protect and preserve
- Do your part even though it may seem negligible to you.
- Recycle substances that are not bio-degradable. Be careful about discarding objects that might contain harmful substances.
- Check to see if there are agencies that will collect items for appropriate recycling.
- Never inhale chemicals or substances that you are unsure about.
- Beware of using paints, dyes or inks that don't come with a safety approval. Promptly wash it off your skin if you think you might have been exposed to something toxic.
Spread the word and share your knowledge about this issue. The world must never witness another tragedy such as the one in Bhopal to learn a lesson.
