Growing up about 20-25 minutes away from an area in West Virginia called the “Chemical Valley” has made an impact on my life that I would not have had growing up in another part of the world. As I have started my research on the Bhopal Gas Disaster, I have come to realize that many adults who should remember an event causing so many fatalities is hardly remembered. I have not found anyone in North Carolina that remembers anything more than a gas leak in the 1980's killed a bunch of people. It amazes me that such a significant event can be overlooked so easily.
I was three months old when at the time of the leak, but I learned about the Bhopal disaster from a young age. The dangers posed by living in such a place has been stressed throughout my life. My mother first told me about the chemical leak when I was going on a field trip to the FMC chemical plant at the age of eight. Thankfully, she waited until I was older to tell me that the only storage facility of MIC is so close that a leak of the same magnitude would affect me in the same way.
In many ways, the Bhopal disaster has saved my life. Chemical factories now undergo rigorous safety testing and prevention. Shelter in Place drills have been tested on the first week of school since I have been in school. Anyone around my age may not know what to do in case of a hurricane or earthquake, but they know how to duct tape doors and windows in a hurry if there is a leak.
I have not experienced many leaks but I can recall a small leak when I was around nine years old. I know it was warm, so I assume it was spring or summer since West Virginia gets cold around October. My dad was night hunting and I was watching a movie with my mom and my little brother. The movie was interrupted by news of the leak. I can't recall what the chemical was or what would happen if someone came in contact, but I do remember the news saying the chemical would cause the sky to have a reddish-pink tint. I knew my dad was outside and had no way of knowing about the leak. My mom taped the doors and windows and turned off the ventilation system. My mom assured me that it was a small leak and would not reach my dad. After what seemed like days, my dad returned home safe and sound.
The fear I felt has never left me. Without Bhopal, the world may have never known the extent to which the chemicals we create can lead to such tragedy.
I was three months old when at the time of the leak, but I learned about the Bhopal disaster from a young age. The dangers posed by living in such a place has been stressed throughout my life. My mother first told me about the chemical leak when I was going on a field trip to the FMC chemical plant at the age of eight. Thankfully, she waited until I was older to tell me that the only storage facility of MIC is so close that a leak of the same magnitude would affect me in the same way.
In many ways, the Bhopal disaster has saved my life. Chemical factories now undergo rigorous safety testing and prevention. Shelter in Place drills have been tested on the first week of school since I have been in school. Anyone around my age may not know what to do in case of a hurricane or earthquake, but they know how to duct tape doors and windows in a hurry if there is a leak.
I have not experienced many leaks but I can recall a small leak when I was around nine years old. I know it was warm, so I assume it was spring or summer since West Virginia gets cold around October. My dad was night hunting and I was watching a movie with my mom and my little brother. The movie was interrupted by news of the leak. I can't recall what the chemical was or what would happen if someone came in contact, but I do remember the news saying the chemical would cause the sky to have a reddish-pink tint. I knew my dad was outside and had no way of knowing about the leak. My mom taped the doors and windows and turned off the ventilation system. My mom assured me that it was a small leak and would not reach my dad. After what seemed like days, my dad returned home safe and sound.
The fear I felt has never left me. Without Bhopal, the world may have never known the extent to which the chemicals we create can lead to such tragedy.