In 1984, a methyl isocyanate leak from a local pesticide plant killed thousands of people in Bhopal, India, known as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The event had significantly adverse impacts on vulnerable populations, leading to 15-20,000 premature deaths and reports of ocular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, psychological, and neurobehavioral effects.
In this case study, Nair discusses the inadequate safety measures and emergency planning, including incomplete safety installations, lack of worker training, and cost-cutting measures, that resulted in the gas leak. Nair argues that increased transparency, accountability, funding, and management efforts would have resulted in stronger emergency preparedness to avoid the disaster.