First published in 1988, The Bhopal Syndrome documents one of world’s worst industrial disaster: The Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984. The tragedy exposed a variety of issues plaguing rapid development such as the negligence of corporations and government, prioritizing of commercial benefits over human lives, inadequate post-disaster rehabilitation and compensation, and frightening levels of environmental pollution. The author argues that the Bhopal gas tragedy is being replicated across the globe at various intensities facilitating a dangerous normalisation. He asserts that workers and consumers should fight for their ‘right to know’ about working conditions, chemicals used in pesticides, the harm caused by producing such chemicals, how these chemicals end up on our food as well as the manner in which the chemicals interact in our body. Climate crisis and undeterred industrial development still haunt our reality making this book an essential read for any concerned citizen and for students of disaster management, industrial disasters, climate change, environment, toxicology and workers’ rights.
Foreword Introduction 1. Running Towards Bhopal 2. The Global Pesticide Industry 3. A Disaster Waiting to Happen 4. A Night of Terror 5. The Aftermath 6. Nobody Knows 7. Slow-Motion Bhopal 8. Run into the Wind 9. The Neighbours Strike Back 10. From the Nile to Mexico 11. Worrying at Kurosaki 12. It Can Happen in America 13. Power and Money 14. Our Obligation to History Conclusion Afterword Appendices Index
Biography
David Weir
'This is a straightforward, passionate book that leaves little doubt that we all must work to put an end to "the Bhopal syndrome, the disease of people captive to technology out of control."' San Francisco Chronicle
