posted on December 29, 2002 11:09:41 PM
Check this out, Union Carbide owns
bhopal.com
A sympathetic view???:
LOL
LOL
LOL
LOL
LOL
http://www.bhopal.com/
another view:-
http://www.ucaqld.com.au/community/bhopal/carbide.html
associated information:-
http://www.dowagrosciences.co.nz/newsroom/news/080499.htm
But do We care????
At least it still gets a mention in my son’s new Christmas present, 2003 Guinness World Records, p64.
posted on January 2, 2003 09:25:45 PM
Statement of The Dow Chemical Company Regarding the Bhopal Tragedy
The 1984 gas disaster at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) facility in Bhopal, India, was a human tragedy that should never be forgotten. It is a continuous reminder of the frailty of life and that safety must always be a first priority for industry. This unfortunate event stimulated the chemical industry's Responsible Care® initiative dedicated to continuous improvement in environment, health and safety performance.
From a legal standpoint, the Bhopal matter has been resolved for many years. In 1984, immediately following the Bhopal tragedy Union Carbide (UCC) stepped forward to publicly accept moral responsibility for the tragedy. The government of India assumed sole responsibility for representing the people of Bhopal. In 1989, UCC agreed to pay $470 million into a trust as a settlement of the claims arising from the tragedy. The trust fund still exists and is managed by the government of India for the benefit of the Bhopal victims. The Indian Supreme Court confirmed the settlement in 1991 and closed the legal proceedings characterizing the settlement as "just, equitable and reasonable." Additionally, in 1994, UCC sold its stake in UCIL and donated the proceeds of $90 million to the Bhopal Hospital Trust Fund for the purpose of providing capital and operating costs of a hospital in Bhopal to treat people effected by the gas tragedy.
When UCC became a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company in February 2001, the civil litigation in India had been resolved for over a decade. However, Dow has listened to the concerns of local and international organizations representing the Bhopal community and other advisory groups. While we respect the different opinions and viewpoints expressed in this dialogue we have not and will not accept any responsibility related to the Bhopal tragedy. Nevertheless, Dow continues to make a genuine effort to identify an appropriate humanitarian contribution aimed at improving some aspect of the lives of people living in India and Bhopal, in particular, consistent with our philanthropic commitment around the world in countries where Dow or its subsidiaries operate.
All of us in industry, especially the chemical industry, appreciate the gravity and human cost of the Bhopal accident. It is a tragedy that should not have happened. Our obligation is to learn from it and to make every effort to see that such a tragedy never happens again. At Dow, we have redoubled our efforts to make protection of people and the environment a part of everything we do and every decision we make. We have taken, and continue to take, strong steps to realize our "vision of zero" – zero incidents, zero injuries, zero environmental harm. No lesser ideal is acceptable to us.
posted on January 2, 2003 09:37:18 PM
What exactly did you expect? I remember when this happened,I also remember the 2 Company "honchos",that were arrested and held hostage, so the home Company would pay for the damage.The Indians feared everyone involved would disappear.(they were right)
We can't even fight for our own quality of life,How can we fight for anyone else?
posted on January 3, 2003 05:12:51 AM
It would be fair to say that Bhopalies struggled/fought with blood sweat and tears to survive so Union Carbide and now Dow Chemical Shareholders can maintain a good quality of life.
For similar reasons I guess that Mexico City festers in its filth.
Because its cost effective to manufacture there, their environmental protection restrictions are obviously more conducive to healthy economic activity.
Sure; fight for your quality of life, and to ensure that we do maintain that quality, lets send our biggest money spinning polluters to other people’s homes, hungry people, desperate people, they’ll tolerate anything for scraps.
And when they can’t take it any more, maybe they’ll strap bombs to themselves too.
William H. Joyce, chairman and chief executive officer of Union Carbide, said, ‘Dow and Union Carbide are companies with similar cultures and dedication to technology, to high productivity and to quality standards. Both have long histories of commitment to their respective customers and employees, as well as to Environment, Health and Safety and the communities where we operate.’
‘Long History of …..Safety’ ?????????????
MY _____!@#$%^& ____AS$
In the building of the Hawk's Nest Tunnel in 1930 in W. Virginia, 5000 workers (65% of whom were black) were employed by the corporation. As many as 2000 workers died of silicosis due to lack of protection against exposure to silica dust. In 1981, the Corporation was fined US$ 50, 000 for spilling over 25,000 gallons of propylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical in the Kanawha river in West Virginia.
The same year 402 employees in Carbide's battery factory in Indonesia were suffering from kidney diseases from exposure to mercury. In July 1985, 998 people in California were poisoned from eating watermelon contaminated with Temik pesticide produced by Carbide (one of the products of its Bhopal factory). In April 1986, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) charged Union Carbide with 221 safety violations at its Institute plant. The same year in November, Temik showed up in ground water in 15 states. On March 12, 1991, there was an explosion at Union Carbide's chemical plant in Seadrift, Texas. With eighteen of its workers dying from brain cancer, this plant had the second highest concentration of cancer in USA. On September 27, 1994 three workers in Union Carbide's plant in Mexico were killed during maintenance work at the refrigeration unit.
posted on January 3, 2003 11:01:53 AM
austbounty,Not to make light of the subject,Your reaction is like someone, who just found out, all this was going on.
Where you been?
posted on January 3, 2003 03:26:44 PM
Tell me what you think I, or anyone else can do about it."Over it" is pretty broad,a statement,and you dont know me.
My battles have been in real life,Face to face and many court rooms, trying to right many wrongs,and a whole lot of money out of pocket for attorneys.
So tell me,Where do you battle,when you want to change the many evils of our world? Over it? No Im tired,The list is too long.
