Which chemical was released in the 1984 Bhopal disaster, causing thousands of casualties?

Which chemical was released in the 1984 Bhopal disaster, causing thousands of casualties?

• A. Methyl isocyanate
• B. Ammonia
• C. Chlorine
• D. Hydrogen sulfide

Answer: (A)

Methyl isocyanate is the chemical involved in the Bhopal disaster. It’s an exceptionally toxic industrial gas, and even short exposure can cause severe lung injury and pulmonary edema. In Bhopal, a large release of MIC from a pesticide plant formed a dense vapor cloud that spread over the city, leading to thousands of deaths and long-term health effects for many residents. The other listed gases—ammonia, chlorine, and hydrogen sulfide—are hazardous in various situations, but they were not the cause of this particular disaster.

Methyl isocyanate is the chemical involved in the Bhopal disaster. It’s an exceptionally toxic industrial gas, and even short exposure can cause severe lung injury and pulmonary edema. In Bhopal, a large release of MIC from a pesticide plant formed a dense vapor cloud that spread over the city, leading to thousands of deaths and long-term health effects for many residents. The other listed gases—ammonia, chlorine, and hydrogen sulfide—are hazardous in various situations, but they were not the cause of this particular disaster.