25th Anniversary of Bhopal

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the world's worst industrial disaster and I hope you take a minute to learn from this.  On the night of December 3, 1984, methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal;  8,000 people were killed immediately and an estimated 500,000 were exposed to the poisons.

Led by the the Bhopal Group for Information and Action, hundreds of gas victims gathered in Bhopal last night for a torch rally. They marched and chanted for the 5 kilometers to the old Union Carbide factory, sending the message that they will not give up until they receive justice and adequate compensation.

The damage that Union Carbide (now under Dow) has done is evident not only in the faces of these Bhopalis, but is also in plain site at the factory

According to Corpwatch, toxic materials have been abandoned inside the factory and left in evaporation pools outside. Their waste systems were poorly designed and are now leaking contaminants into the surrounding area.
"Groundwater and soil inside and outside the factory hold dangerous levels of chlorinated solvents, pesticides and heavy metals. Every rain spreads the poison to groundwater that more than 30,000 people rely on as their main source of drinking water."

Can you imagine the fear of being poisoned by the only water you have to drink? And knowing you have no other option because you're own government won't intervene? That's frightening! Facilities like Union Carbide's pose a threat to cities in the U.S. as well as their safety measures and the size of chemical containers are at risk for a terrorist attack.

I ask that you take a moment and click here to learn more about the victims of Bhopal, and understand hat there is a possibility that this could occur in the U.S. - even in Iowa.

Image: RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images (Via Amnesty International)