Cindynics, The Science of Danger

Examples of Approaches

E.1. The Bhopal disaster

E.1.1. Context

At the end of the 1970s, a factory producing pesticides from a volatile and highly toxic compound (Sevin and Temik) was set up on the outskirts of the city of Bhopal in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. This plant was built to produce 5,000 tons of pesticides a year. The installation of this plant, a subsidiary of Union Carbide Corporation, was welcomed with open arms by the Indian authorities who advocate a policy of agricultural development and crop intensification through a “green revolution”. Located 5 km from the city center, the plant attracted a rural population seeking jobs. The massive introduction of these workers was being carried out right up to the factory gates, without any urbanization plan. The population of the greater Bhopal area thus rose from 225,000 to around 700,000 over a period of nearly 20 years (1961–1980).

From the beginning of the 1980s, economic difficulties led to a reduction in demand, affecting production, which began to slow down and never reached the 5,000 tons planned. The factory thus becomes a loss-making venture. A savings plan was then launched: the workforce was reduced leaving only the maximum possible, trained staff were replaced by other less competent employees. In December 1984, the plant was idling and operations were reduced to maintenance.

E.1.2. The disaster

It was during maintenance operations at the plant, which had been shut down for a month, that the disaster ...