The Bhopal Gas Tragedy has been called the “world’s worst industrial catastrophe.” Since this time, safety measures have been placed to ensure a chemical leak of the same magnitude does not happen again.  Even with safety measures, chemical leaks still occur even in the United States. Unfortunately, not much has changed for the residents of Bhopal. Methyl Isocyanate (MIC), the chemical responsible for the disaster, is not leaking but the pesticide plant has been abandoned, leaving other chemicals exposed.  Other chemicals are still leaking into the environment, slowly poisoning the inhabitants of Bhopal, India. As the 26th anniversary approaches, one cannot help but wonder how can the people of the world let this continue?  Who is responsible for such devastation?  Could an event like this occur again? Should humans really be making chemicals that can cost the lives of so many? The answers to these questions are not clear cut.

picture frequently used for protests

Time magazine cover from 1984

Picture of a father burying his baby daughter. He buried her but uncovered her face unable to bear the thought of never seeing her again. This image has become the face of the Bhopal Gas Disaster

Victims protesting for justice