Bhopal survivors march on New Delhi

[bemildred]

Source: al Jazeera and agencies

About 100 victims of one of the world's worst industrial disasters have begun a march of more than 700km to the Indian capital, New Delhi, to demand compensation.

More than 3,500 people were killed in 1984 when a Union Carbide plant leaked cyanide gas in Bhopal.

Survivors say they still face health problems from the abandoned chemical plant.

A few people turned back on Thursday from the month-long hike after the first 30km, organisers said.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3F2A9C96-AF1B-4152-80C5-ED56DF5165C7.htm

[Staph]

1. It wasn't cyanide.

It was methyl isocyanate, a highly toxic chemical used in the manufacture of pesticides, rubbers and adhesives.

(I realize you were just quoting the news article. But Al Jazeera is wrong. I know this because I live about five miles from the only other plant that produced MIC.)

[pattmarty]

2. And, WHERE was this other plant located?

[Staph]

4. The other plant

is located in Institute, West Virginia, a few miles east of the state capitol of Charleston. Union Carbide (now Dow Chemical) has a large technical center and manufacturing site there. I must admit, I don't know if they are still producing MIC, but they were at the time of the Bhopal disaster.

If the same chemical leak had happened at the Institute plant, it would have literally wiped out the government of the state of West Virginia, as well as the inhabitants of the largest city in the state. The plant is located in the narrow, hill-lined valley of the Kanawha River. The city of Charleston and the buildings of state government are due east, downwind, in an section of the river valley that goes directly east-west. Luckily, I live in the next valley north!

[pattmarty]

5. Yes. this is the stuff that must get out there no matter the ..........

media resistance, in one way or the other. thx for the info.

[Sequoia]

3. Here's a website:

"Students for Bhopal" <[e-mail]

and a really good book:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5169VET46JL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg