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The catastrophic Union Carbide gas leak in Bhopal, which occurred 40 years ago on the night of December 2-3, 1984, continues to leave a tragic legacy for survivors and their descendants. Dr. D.K. Satpathy, a former head of forensics at Gandhi Medical College, has revealed startling insights into the long-term impact of the disaster while speaking at an event held by organizations of gas tragedy survivors.
The leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas resulted in the deaths of at least 3,787 people, with over half a million more affected. Dr. Satpathy, who performed 875 autopsies on the first day alone and 18,000 over five years, shared his observations at a recent event commemorating the tragedy.
He highlighted that Union Carbide had previously dismissed concerns about the gas's ability to cross the placental barrier in pregnant women. However, examinations of deceased pregnant women revealed that 50% of the toxic substances in the mothers’ systems were also present in their unborn children. Survivors' children were found to carry residual toxins, causing health complications that persist across generations.
Dr. Satpathy stated that the effects of the toxic exposure are not limited to the initial victims but extend to their progeny, with conditions such as cancer, hypertension, and liver damage being reported. These findings underscore the critical need for continuous research, which, according to him, was prematurely halted.
Organizations such as the Bhopal Group for Information and Action and the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh are commemorating the tragedy’s 40th anniversary through rallies, exhibitions, and discussions.
(Input from various sources)
Rehash/Josna Lewis/MSM
