Bhopal Disaster: Eye Follow-Up and Analytical Chemistry

Exposure and response to methyl isocyanate: results of a community based survey in Bhopal.

“…The worst eye cases brought forward for slit lamp examination at Ghandi Medical College by two ophthalmologists showed no case of deep corneal damage. 2 Travel by foot, tricab, and taxi allowed the outer limits of the exposure zones to be mapped out, as shown in the figure. People were affected (mostly burning eyes and coughing) over 1 km north of the factory, despite the light north wind.…”

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) value profile: methyl isocyanate [CAS no. 624-83-9].

“…Symptoms reported with the most frequency were ocular irritation, coughing, respiratory distress, pulmonary congestion, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and hypoxia resulting in CNS involvement [Kamat et al 1985;Misra et al 1987;Lorin and Kulling 1986;Andersson et al 1988;Kamat et al 1992]. Most of these symptoms resolved within 2 weeks post-release, but many of those exposed, including adults and children, reported continued restrictive respiratory, ophthalmological, neuromuscular, and gastrointestinal symptoms for years after the accident [Andersson et al 1984[Andersson et al , 1985Kamat et al 1985;Irani and Mahashur 1986;Maskati 1986;Naik et al 1986;Khurrum and Ahmad 1987;Andersson et al 1990;Kamat et al 1992;Cullinan et al 1997;Misra and Kalita 1997]. Varma [1987] conducted a preliminary survey 9 months after the Bhopal incident.…”

Industrial disasters and epidemiology. A review of recent experiences.

“…In Chernob yl the population of the Kiev region is undergoing surveillance (43). A follow-up of Bhopal survivors with visual disability has been attempted (10,44,45). In Seveso, long-term investigations have been conducted , and some results are available (5,(46)(47)(48)(49)(50).…”