By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
BHOPAL, India- Indian officials have dismissed claims that the pesticide plant at Bhopal is still leaking dangerous toxins into the drinking water. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the plant was safe, contradicting claims in a new report.
On 3 December 1984, thousands died after 40 tons of deadly methyl isocyanate gaw leaked from the US-owned plant. Over half a million people were exposed to the gas, and as a result have suffered life-long chronic illness.
Speaking in an interview ahead of the 25th anniversary of the disaster, Mr. Chouhan said that the neighboring communities near the site had been supplied with clean drinking water. “It took some time…But we managed this quickly, and we can say that we are providing 100% clean water.”
These statements are contradicted by a report by the Bhopal Medical Appeal (BMA) and the Sambhavna Clinic. Their report says there is evidence that “there are still high levels of toxic chemicals in the drinking water supply in 15 communities near the old Union Carbide pesticide plant”. The report says the water around the factory site in Bhopal still possesses unsafe levels of carbon tetrachloride, other organic pollutants, and other heavy metals.
The report claims that as a result, “the populations in the areas surveyed have high rates of birth defects, rapidly rising cancer rates, neurological damage, chaotic menstrual cycles and mental illness.”
While Mr. Chouhan insists that clean water was supplied to communities without running water, many residents said the water was insufficient and delivered too infrequently, forcing them to continue relying on contaminated ground water.
Sathyu Sarangi, of the Sambhavna Clinic said, “We have ample evidence, that there are many toxins still in the ground that have never been cleaned up…Each time it rains, the rain washes those toxins into the ground water, which many people still draw to drink.”
The Indian government has also drawn the ire of the people by attempting to turn the disused factory into a tourist spot. India’s environment minister, Jairam Ramesh mocked activists on a visit to the city by picking up a handful of waste and saying “see, I am alive.”
Sarangi says the government has been attempting to lure Dow Chemical, Union Carbide’s successor back to India and secure $1 billion of investment. In return, says Sarangi, the government plans to allow Dow to evade its responsibility to clean up the Bhopal plant site. She said “This is all about the money. “Politicians in India would rather do this than fight for people who suffered.”
For information, please see:
BBC News- Officials Dismiss Claims Bhopal Site is Leaking Toxins– 1 December 2009
Guardian.co.uk- Bhopal Water Still Toxic 25 Years After Deadly Gas Leak, Study Finds– 1 December 2009
Nzherald.co.nz- Bhopal a Poisoned City 25 Years On– 2 December 2009
