European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 03, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine aftermath of Union Carbide disaster anguish in Bhopal by Robert h. Reid associated press t he horror of history s worst Industrial Accident lingers in Bhopal. It continues in the anguish of its children he broken lives of it crippled survivors and the continuing death from the effects of the tragedy. It is nearly 11 months since Methyl is Cyanate Gas escaped from the Union Carbide corporation s pesticide Plant shortly alter Midnight on dec. 3. Spreading a shroud of death Over squalid shantytowns near the factory Gate in this Central Indian City More than 2,000 people died some in their bed others along the roads where they ran or crawled to escape the Gas another 150.000 to 200.000 people were affected according to government inures the International spotlight is gone now. The agonies and deaths continue at Lamidin Hospital perched on a Hill overlooking a Lake and the Pink and White minarets of this heavily moslem City sources say one person Dies every other Day from the effects of the Gas. Most from respiratory or heart failure. Or n r. Bhandari. Hospital superintendent said that at least 434 of the 2.698 pregnant women in neighbourhoods affected by the leak had miscarried More than double the average rate for the area. Although no Olli Cial estimates Are available on the number of people still suffering the effects of the Gas leak doctors and officials in Bhopal agree they total at least 60.000. Or. Rani bang a private doctor who conducted a study in March for a private Relief Agency loud the most striking observation was the mental apprehensive Ness of the children still shaken by the memory of parents dying at their feet. I can Tell you the problem is  said or. . Jain a respiratory specialist sent by the Federal government to compile data on the effects of the Gas people complain of Chest pains breathlessness. Muscular pains and the inability to do work they previously  at a government clinic within sight of the Plant More than 300 officially designated Gas victims line up every Day for treatment of respiratory problems soreness of the eyes and other complaints brought on by the Gas. Some doctors say privately the treatment May Only temporarily alleviate the symptoms of victims who a lungs were severely scarred by the Gas. My daughter goes to the clinic three or four times a week Lor treatment but it does t  said Kursav. A woman who lives within 300 Yards of the factory Gale inside their mud and Stone Hovel Kursav s. 16-year old daughter slumped against the Wall coughing and wheezing too weak to Brush the flies from her face the child has no immunity to disease the woman said she will probably get tuberculosis and then she will die Indian medical researchers say they Lack information on the Long term effects of Methyl is Cyanate poisoning to determine whether most of the victims will eventually recover of How to treat them effectively. We requested information about the toxic effects of Industrial Accident at Union Carbide Plant at Bhopal India in december 1984 shocked world. The Gas from Union  said or. Ishwar Das. Commissioner of Gas Reinl operations Lor the Adhya Pravesh state government. Earlier they provided some information but it was outdated and not very helpful in managing clinical  doctors working for Union Carbide said no studies of the toxic effects on humans of exposure to Methyl is Cyanate had been carried out so Little information was available. Das said the government plans to Monitor the health of survivors for at least live years. Other doctors who treat Gas victims say Many Are showing improvement and will regain their health in time. But the doctors who spoke on condition of anonymity said others will require care Lor the rest of their lives. It depends on How much Gas they inhaled said one Young doctor working Lor the citizen s Relief committee a private organization. If they inhaled a lot of the Gas it scarred their lungs and in some cases damage was  those with lung damage Are often unable to draw enough oxygen to do hard physical labor doctors said. That makes them ineligible for most of the jobs available men often earn a few dollars a Day digging ditches or pulling carts. Das said the state government Hopes to teach victims simple skills like sewing or handicrafts so those unable to perform heavy labor can eke out a living Muni Bai. A 25-year-old woman said damage to her husband s lungs has kept him from working. She snid he gasps and wheezes alter the most limited physical activity. They and their 1-Monlh-old daughter survive on tha 20.000 rupees $1,700 Lump sum paid to them As compensation for a 3-year-old daughter and 6-Monlh old son who died in Tho Gas leak. Bai estimates the Money will last two years. Alter that what will we do she asked. Union Carbide has offered $230 million in compensation but the Indian government rejected the figure As inadequate. Negotiations Are underway before a . Court and numerous other private lawsuits also Are pending in us. Courts. An Indian court has issued an injunction forbidding Union Carbide to sell the Plant until compensation is settled. Federal police and about 40 senior Union Carbide employees watch Over the closed facility weeds have grown up in the compound and slogans like killer Carbide Are painted on the outer Walls victims of Gas leak from pest Ida Plant lint up at a Clinie to receive medication for various ailments. Sunday novembers 1985 the stars and stripes Page 13