Cancer rates among survivors of the 1984 Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal are approximately 13 times higher than those in unexposed populations, according to data presented by the Sambhavna Trust Clinic on World Cancer Day.
The clinic analyzed health information from 21,276 gas-exposed individuals and 25,528 unexposed people with similar income and education levels. Radhelal Napit, a member of the Community Health Survey Unit, said the data covers cancer diagnoses from 1992 to 2012. “We have copies of almost all medical records of each individual diagnosed with cancer,” Napit said.
The findings show stark differences between exposed and unexposed populations. The cancer rate stands at 1,569.84 per 100,000 among gas-exposed people, compared to 117.52 per 100,000 in the unexposed group.
Farhat Jahan, who conducted house-to-house surveys, noted that gas-exposed men face higher risks than women. “The cancer rate is 14.92 times higher among gas-exposed men, while it is 12.22 times higher among gas-exposed women,” Jahan said.
Most Affected Cancer Types
Certain cancers show even more dramatic increases among survivors. Chandrasekhar Sahu, another survey team member, highlighted blood cancers as particularly prevalent. “We find that rates of blood cancers is 21.6 times more in the gas exposed population compared to that in an unexposed population,” Sahu said.
Lung and esophageal cancers show the highest disparities, occurring 28.78 and 33.86 times more frequently in gas-exposed populations respectively.
Where the Study Was Conducted
Santosh Kshatriya explained that gas-exposed data came from residents of Jaiprakash Nagar, Kainchi Chhola, Qazi Camp, and other areas within three kilometers of the Union Carbide factory. Unexposed population data came from Anna Nagar, Bheem Nagar, and Vallabh Nagar, located more than eight kilometers from the plant.
The methyl isocyanate gas leak from the Union Carbide pesticide plant on December 2-3, 1984, exposed over 500,000 people. The disaster claimed thousands of lives immediately and left many with permanent health problems. Forty years later, survivors and second-generation victims continue to battle life-threatening illnesses.
The Sambhavna Trust Clinic, established in 1996, provides free medical care to disaster survivors. The clinic’s research demonstrates the long-term health consequences that continue to affect the exposed population decades after the tragedy.
Despite government promises of free treatment, many survivors struggle to access adequate care. Systemic failures including doctor shortages, medicine unavailability, and funding gaps persist. A legal petition for improved healthcare filed in 2012 remains pending in Madhya Pradesh High Court, with the next hearing scheduled for April 22.
Support us to sustain independent environmental journalism in India.
Keep Reading
Story of Mala Nimbalkar: Rag Picker to Manager of MRF centre in Bhopal
In Bhopalโs Idgah Hills, Who is Segregating Our Plastic Waste?
