Effects of Bhopal gas leak seen in next generation of survivors: Ex-forensic doc

The effects of poisonous gases that leaked from the Union Carbide factory in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal 40 years ago were seen in succeeding generations of those who survived the tragedy, a former government forensic doctor has said.

At least 3,787 people were killed and more than 5 lakh affected after highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) leaked from the pesticide factory in the city on the intervening night of 2 and 3 December 1984.

Speaking at an event held by organisations of gas tragedy survivors on Saturday, Dr D.K. Satpathy, former head of the forensics department of Bhopal's Gandhi Medical College, said he performed 875 post-mortems on the first day of the disaster and witnessed 18,000 autopsies in the next five years.

Sathpathy claimed Union Carbide had denied questions about the effects of poisonous gases on unborn children of women survivors, and said effects would not cross the placental barrier in the womb in any condition.

He said blood samples of pregnant women who died in the tragedy were examined, and it was found that 50 per cent of poisonous substances found in the mother were also found in the child in her womb.

Children born to surviving mothers had the poisonous substances in their system, and this affected the health of the next generation, Sathpathy claimed and questioned why research on this was stopped. Such effects will continue for generations, he said.

Satpathy said it was said that MIC leaked from the Union Carbide plant, and when it came in contact with water, thousands of gases were formed, and some of these caused cancer, blood pressure problems and liver damage.

Rachna Dhingra of Bhopal Group for Information and Action said Satpathy, who carried out most autopsies, and other first responders in the 1984 disaster, including the senior doctors in the emergency ward and persons involved in mass burials, narrated their experiences during the event.

Rashida Bee, president of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, said a poster exhibition covering every aspect of the disaster will be held until 4 December to mark the 40th anniversary of the tragedy.

An anniversary rally will be organised, with focus on global corporate crimes such as industrial pollution and climate change, she said.