Bhopal Second Disaster (165 images)

Almost three decades have passed since the 1984 gas disaster caused by Union Carbide (now DOW Chemical) in Bhopal, India, but many local families are still living the nightmare that began on December 3, 1984.

Half a million people were exposed to the toxic cloud released from the plant, and thousands died within a few weeks from exposure. All the safety mechanisms in place failed to work.

Its deadly legacy is not only affecting those who survived, but also their...
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Almost three decades have passed since the 1984 gas disaster caused by Union Carbide (now DOW Chemical) in Bhopal, India, but many local families are still living the nightmare that began on December 3, 1984.

Half a million people were exposed to the toxic cloud released from the plant, and thousands died within a few weeks from exposure. All the safety mechanisms in place failed to work.

Its deadly legacy is not only affecting those who survived, but also their children, many of whom are suffering from severe neurological and physical disorders, caused by the environmental contamination of land and water, continuing unabated today.

Left buried in various spots near the abandoned industrial site, the toxic waste of Union Carbide is penetrating the area's underground water reservoirs. Around 30.000 people are in danger from this contamination or have to rely on expensive, unaffordable alternatives.

DOW Chemical has recently been awarded a ten-year contract as a worldwide Olympic partner and as the official chemistry company for the Olympic Movement until 2020. The deal, estimated to be at around 150-200 millions USD, comes in addition to the 11 millions USD budgeted for a wrap around the Olympic Stadium during London 2012.

Since DOW Chemical's full acquisition of Union Carbide in 2001, for a staggering 11.6 billions USD, the American corporation has single-handedly refused to accept any responsibility in Bhopal.

With this series I strived to portray my subjects with intimacy, meaning and depth. I wanted to convey emotions, to stimulate our deeper and most innate feelings: justice, compassion and brotherhood, in the hope of becoming an active catalyst for the promotion of awareness, action and change for the people of Bhopal.

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A Better Tomorrow: Poonam's Tale of Hope in Bhopal

http://alexmasi.photoshelter.com/gallery/A-Better-Tomorrow-Poonams-Tale-of-Hope-in-Bhopal/G0000vRkbsGVXekY/C0000xmGk1_jy1qM
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