Bhopal Gas tragedy- An experience of the medical and dental practitioners of this Unfinished Story 1984

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Bhopal Gas Tragedy is the mankind worst industrial disaster resulted in deaths around 200,000 people. There are more than 5, 00,000 registered survivors of the tragedy. Various studies have been conducted that provide a strong evidence of disastrous influence of the gas on affected individuals and provide data that reveals unique abnormalities. The study aimed to record the effects of this gas on the craniofacial system after 28 years of disaster through the experience of Medical and Dental practitioners and to open up new possibilities for further research on this tragic event. Methods: 60 individuals were selected for the study. This includes 30 medical practitioners and 30 dental practitioners. All the practitioners had a working experience of more than 20 years. Many of the practitioners had been posted in the area affected by gas. A simple questionnaire consisting a list 19 questions was prepared and printed in English. Results: Frequencies and percentage distribution of the answers were calculated for medical practitioners and dental practitioners. Many of the practitioners were aware about the acute and chronic effects of the gas on vital systems of the body but were less aware about the craniofacial and dental effects which were told by only few dental practitioners. Interpretation and conclusions: Majority of the studies concentrated on the systemic effect of the gas exposure rather than craniofacial defects/effects. Less awareness within study group as well as scanty knowledge about craniofacial and dental effects of the dreaded gas.