A recently conducted research study that investigated congenital deformities in the offspring of women exposed to the 1984 gas leak in Bhopal has been barred from publication. The preventing body, an expert committee, cited methodological flaws, a poor design, and inconclusive research findings as the reasons behind their decision.
Key Findings of the Study
The study noted a significant increase in the occurrence of “congenital malformations” in babies born to women who had been exposed to the toxic gas. These findings were revealed in response to a question proposed under the Right To Information Act. They were later publicized by a group of activists working for the rights of those affected by the gas leak.
As the Supreme Court is currently considering a curative petition that calls for additional compensation for the victims of the tragedy, data concerning congenital defects in children could support the argument for increased reparation.
The Expert Committee
The committee that prevented the study’s publication comprises scientists from several respected institutes. These include the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, the National Institute for Research in Environmental Health (NIREH) in Bhopal, and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
Understanding Congenital Malformations
Congenital malformations are structured or functional abnormalities that occur during life within the uterus. They can be prenatally identified, discovered at birth, or sometimes only detected later in infancy. They are also referred to as birth defects, congenital anomalies, or congenital disorders.
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy Background
The infamous Bhopal gas tragedy took place post-midnight on December 3, 1984. Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. About 40 tonnes of MIC and other chemicals escaped from the factory.
MIC is an extremely toxic gas; exposure to a concentration as low as 21ppm (parts per million) in the air can prove fatal within minutes of inhalation. The incident remains one of the worst chemical disasters worldwide, and its harmful effects persist in the affected population.
Legislative Response to the Incident
Following the disaster, the Indian Government enacted the Public Liability Insurance Act (1991). The law mandated industries to purchase insurance with premiums contributing towards an Environment Relief Fund. This fund was designed to provide compensation to victims of incidents similar to the Bhopal tragedy.
Facts Related to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | December 3, 1984 |
| Chemical Leaked | Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) |
| Amount Leaked | Approximately 40 tonnes |
| Location | Union Carbide Factory, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| Legislation Passed | Public Liability Insurance Act (1991) |
Source
Information for this article was sourced from TH. Further research on the Bhopal gas tragedy and its lingering effects is ongoing. Despite the recent obstruction of the study concerning congenital malformations, efforts continue to secure justice and compensation for the event’s victims.
