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8/3/2019 Bhopal Slides

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International Dimensions of Ethics

Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, 2008 IDEESE

Case Study:

The Bhopal Plant Disaster

Massive toxic gas leak from Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL)

chemical plant at Bhopal in December, 1984.

Thousands killed and hundreds of thousands injured by 40 ton

release of methyl isocyanate (MIC).

Caused by unsafe conditions and series of failures in poorly

maintained and understaffed plant.


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Some Context:

The Bhopal Plant

Built in late 1960s to process pesticides

Expanded in 1970s to add production capability

Production cut in 1980s due to market forces and decision to sell plant

Ownership and Operation Union Carbide owned controlling share (50.9%) of UCIL

Plant managed and staffed locally by UCIL

Climate

Plant initially welcomed at Bhopal for its economic potential

Located 2 miles from city center; surrounding population expandedsignificantly between construction and disaster

Government classified plant as general (not hazardous ) industry in

1976, even after approving MIC-based processes at plant and

establishing a hazardous industry zone 15 miles from city


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The Disaster: Contributing Factors

Human Error Critical isolation valve not closed before pipes were flushed with water,

causing the fatal pressurization of tank containing MIC.

Flare for flame neutralization of escaping gas was shut down

Inadequate Safety Equipment Reach of sprayer forwater neutralization of escaping gas was

inadequate. Plant managers were aware of deficiency.

Flare system lacked capacity for major gas leak.

Failure of Safety Equipment Stack scrubber, activated by operator during leak, failed.

PoorMaintenance Tank refrigerators inoperable; had been drained of freon

Blockage in pipes meant to drain water that pressurized tank


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The Disaster: Contributing Factors (cont.)

Inadequate Staffing Union-Carbide-trained supervisors had left Bhopal by 1984

Staffing in MIC unit had been cut below half of recommended level

Second-shift maintenance supervisor position eliminated weeks beforedisaster

Lack of Evacuation Plans Visiting Union Carbide engineers repeatedly stressed need for a plan to

alert and evacuate population in the event of a gas leak

UCIL claimed to have developed such plans

City and state officials claimed no knowledge of such plans

Inadequate Response Warning siren activated upon leak, but only for a few minutes

Public response panicked , evacuation slow and uncoordinated

Response of medical workers hampered by lack of info about MIC


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Ethical Dimensions: Discussion

What are the ethical dimensions of the Bhopal case?

Who are the stakeholders, and what were their ethicalresponsibilities?

Which ethical dimensions arise from, or are complicated

by,

the international nature of the case?

Consider international dimensions via


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Analysis of International Dimensions

Recall Framework

Apply ethics prevailing in the society where activity

occurs no matterwho does it.

Apply ethics of own society to all activities of its

members wherever the activity occurs

Develop ethical principles and rules common to all

societies where the scientific or engineering work

occurs.

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