PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
PSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2018
Answer
Methyl Isocyanate
Explanation
The Bhopal gas tragedy, considered one of the world's worst industrial disasters, occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984. A highly toxic gas named Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The release of this deadly gas exposed hundreds of thousands of people, leading to thousands of immediate deaths and long-term health complications for survivors.
Key Points
- > The Bhopal gas tragedy took place in December 1984.
- > The lethal gas was Methyl Isocyanate (MIC).
- > The leak happened at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant.
- > The factory manufactured Sevin, a pesticide.
- > The chemical formula for MIC is CH3NCO.
- > Another major global disaster, the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster, happened in 1986.
Additional Information
Major Environmental & Industrial Disasters
| Disaster Name | Year | Location | Cause/Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhopal Gas Tragedy | 1984 | India | Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) leak |
| Chernobyl Disaster | 1986 | Ukraine | Nuclear reactor meltdown |
| Fukushima Daiichi | 2011 | Japan | Tsunami induced nuclear disaster |
| Minamata Disease | 1950s | Japan | Mercury (Methylmercury) poisoning |
Memory Tips
- Acronym MIC: Do not confuse Cyanate with Cyanide. The specific chemical is Methyl Isocyanate (MIC).