As the world is battling with coronavirus crisis, India got into a new tragedy as the crisis in country has been stirred by the Vishakhapatnam gas tragedy which took place in the LG Polymer industry and it is reported that 8 people died in Visakhapatnam while over a thousand others have been hospitalized. An alarming situation has developed in Visakhapatnam. This gas tragedy has surely reminded all of us of the Bhopal gas tragedy which took several lives.
What was the Bhopal gas tragedy?
On the night of December 2, 1984, chemical, methyl isocyanate (MIC) spilt out from Union Carbide India Ltd’s (UCIL’s) pesticide factory turned the city of Bhopal into a colossal gas chamber. It was India’s first major industrial disaster. At least 30 tonnes of methyl isocyanate gas killed more than 15,000 people and affected over 600,000 workers. Bhopal gas tragedy is known as world’s worst industrial disaster.
What was the impact of Methyl Isocynate leakage in Bhopal Gas tragedy?
Doctors were not aware of proper treatment methods when the incident took place. Methyl isocyanate gas leak killed more than 15,000 people and affected over 600,000 workers. The stillbirth rate and the neonatal mortality rate increased by up to 300% and 200% respectively. The gas leak impact trees and animals too. Within a couple of days, trees in the nearby area became barren. Bloated animal carcasses had to be disposed of. People ran on the streets, vomiting and dying. The city ran out of cremation grounds.
Which gas became the reason for Vizag Gas tragedy?
Styrene gas is also known as ethynylbenzene, vinylbenzene, and phenylethane, Styrene is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5CH=CH2. This derivative of benzene is a colourless oily liquid although aged samples can appear yellowish. The compound evaporates easily and has a sweet smell, although high concentrations have a less pleasant odour.
When the gas leaked in Vizag, hundreds and thousands of people inhaled it and either fell unconscious or started having breathing issues.
Experts say that the effect of styrene gas is very dangerous and can kill a person in just 10 minutes.
What is the impact of Styrene gas on human health?
When burnt, styrene releases a poisonous gas which can cause nausea and dizziness and the person exposed to the gas should be given medical treatment immediately.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), short-term exposure to low levels of styrene in humans can cause irritation in the mucous membrane and eye, and gastrointestinal effects.
Long-term exposure, on the other hand, results in effects on the central nervous system, leading to headaches, fatigue, weakness, hearing loss, nerve damage and depression.
The consequences may be more severe among kids.
What are the similarities between Bhopal Gas Tragedy and Vishakhapatnam Gas Tragedy?
In the Bhopal Gas leakage there was a leakage of gas named methyl isocyanate (MIC). As soon as the gas was leaked in Bhopal, the gas was like a black cloud in the city. It was around midnight that the chemical reaction started in the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. More than 5 lakh people were exposed to methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas after the toxic gas started to leak from one of the tanks factory. The city in no time turned into a gas chamber.
After the poisonous gas started to spread into the city of Bhopal, a large number of city’s population was coughing, complaining of itching in eyes, skin and facing problems in breathing. The gas caused internal haemorrhage, pneumonia and death. It is also reported that people affected by the Bhopal gas tragedy are still suffering from diseases like cancer, tumours and respiratory problems.
However, it is said that the Vishakhapatnam gas tragedy is far more dangerous than the Bhopal Gas. It is also said that the both these gases causes direct affect on the lungs and eyes of human.
