Waiting for Another Bhopal

Abstract

The Bhopal chemical disaster of 1984 added the issue of chemical plant safety to the variety of health and environmental harms already associated with the globalization of the production and use of toxic chemicals. This article describes the highlights of international and national responses to the Bhopal disaster by intergovernmental organizations, national regulatory authorities and transnational corporations. It suggests that these policy responses have not succeeded in preventing the continued occurrence of toxic chemical incidents that impact on the health, environment and livelihood of those affected. The article argues that attention needs to be paid to toxic chemical production and use in public health debates, nationally and at the global level.