SSC
Which gas leaked during the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984?
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Answer: Option A — Methyl isocyanate
Detailed Solution
The Bhopal gas tragedy is considered the world's worst industrial disaster. On the night of 2-3 December 1984, about 40 tonnes of highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from a storage tank (Tank 610) at the pesticide plant of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. UCIL was a subsidiary of the American company Union Carbide Corporation (UCC). The plant produced the pesticide Sevin (carbaryl), using MIC as an intermediate.
Water entered the MIC tank, causing a violent chemical reaction that raised the temperature and pressure. The gas escaped and spread over the densely populated areas near the plant, while people were asleep. Several safety systems, such as the scrubber, flare tower and refrigeration unit, were not working properly.
The gas caused burning of the eyes, choking, vomiting, lung damage and death. The official immediate death toll was about 2,259, and the Madhya Pradesh government later confirmed about 3,787 deaths related to the leak. Other estimates suggest that around 8,000 people died within two weeks and many more later. More than 5 lakh people were exposed, and many continue to suffer from chronic illnesses. The site remains contaminated with toxic waste; in January 2025, about 337 tonnes of waste were moved from the site to Pithampur for incineration.
Warren Anderson, the chairman of UCC at the time, was arrested and released on bail, and left India; he never returned to face trial and died in 2014. In 1989, UCC paid 470 million US dollars as a settlement to the Government of India. In 2010, a Bhopal court convicted seven former UCIL officials of negligence.
The disaster led to new laws, such as the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991. National Pollution Control Day is observed on 2 December in memory of the victims.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Phosgene was used as a chemical weapon in the First World War.
- ✗Hydrogen cyanide is a poisonous gas, but it was not the main gas leaked.
- ✗Chlorine was the first gas used in chemical warfare (1915).
Quick tip
Remember: Bhopal gas tragedy = 2-3 December 1984, methyl isocyanate (MIC), Union Carbide (Warren Anderson); led to the Environment (Protection) Act 1986; National Pollution Control Day = 2 December.
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This question tests your understanding of Pollution & Climate Change, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
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