International Dimensions of Ethics Case Study The Bhopal

International Dimensions of Ethics 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. Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE

International Dimensions of Ethics Some Context: • The Bhopal Plant – Built in late 1960’s to process pesticides – Expanded in 1970’s to add production capability – Production cut in 1980’s 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 expanded significantly 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 Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE

International Dimensions of Ethics 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 for water 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. Poor Maintenance – Tank refrigerators inoperable; had been drained of freon – Blockage in pipes meant to drain water that pressurized tank Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE

International Dimensions of Ethics 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 before disaster 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 Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE

International Dimensions of Ethics Ethical Dimensions: Discussion • What are the ethical dimensions of the Bhopal case? • Who are the stakeholders, and what were their ethical responsibilities? • Which ethical dimensions arise from, or are complicated by, the international nature of the case? Consider international dimensions via… Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE

International Dimensions of Ethics Analysis of International Dimensions Recall Framework • Apply ethics prevailing in the society where activity occurs no matter who 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. Adopted from The Bhopal Plant Disaster, IDEESE Case Study Series, © 2008 IDEESE