In order to ensure the highest standard of remediation is achieved at the abandoned Union Carbide site in Bhopal and its surrounding areas, both on the ground and within the subterranean ground water aquifer/ aquifers, the Beyond Bhopal Group is undertaking monitoring of the remediation roadmap outlined by the Group of Ministers on Bhopal in its recommendations to the Cabinet Committee convened on June 24th, 2010.
Some of our brief preliminary observations, ahead of receipt of the full proposals from NEERI are as follows:
Testing by NEERI, and other respected groups, carried out variously over a period of approximately 20 years, has established beyond doubt that the area in and around the abandoned Union Carbide factory is seriously contaminated. Of particular concern, recent tests performed by the Centre for Science and Environment showed that traces of chemicals, believed to emanate from the Union Carbide site can be detected in the groundwater at a distance of at least 3km away.
We believe that the issue, so far as the contamination of the groundwater aquifer is concerned, is one of simple leaching through a contaminated surface soil. In fact - drawing on NEERI's earlier findings together with our research into comparable examples elsewhere - there is strong evidence for the existence of a sub-surface 'toxic plume', composed primarily of trapped chlorinated solvents.
Hasty excavation of contaminated soils could exacerbate the problem, and so we urge a detailed site assessment to clarify this issue, and to recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective remediation method.
We are currently preparing a report on the water contamination emanating from the Union Carbide site. We have collated and reviewed all of the previously published data in an effort to establish a reasoned, scientific consensus. This report will also summarise all of the existing hydro geological data and, with new research drawn from other similar examples, will make a strong case for the necessity of testing for the existence of a contaminant plume.
We would also point-out that excavation, removal and reburial of large amounts of hazardous waste itself creates a host of new environmental health issues, and must be subject to detailed risk assessment and management of identified risks.
Further, we would implore the investigation of novel remediation techniques. Using experiences gained by regulatory agencies in the US and Europe, it may well be feasible to implement more cost-effective in-situ remediation techniques. Thus, viable and cheaper alternatives to excavation and reburial may already exist.
Most critically, a detailed site assessment (such as that offered by the EU on 17/6/10) would provide a more complete overview of the hydrogeology and the mobility of the identified toxic contaminants, and would thus inform the best tailor-made remediation approach for the Union Carbide site, its surrounds and local groundwater aquifers. NEERI’s tests on borewells inside the Union Carbide site assumes that the water contamination is localised to the site itself. Evidence for a toxic plume, within one of the local groundwater aquifers, suggests movement away from the original contamination source, and indicates the need for a wider water sampling programme.
The European offer of Technical assistance has been broadly accepted by all the survivor groups in Bhopal. ND Jayaprakash Head of the Delhi Science forum representing the group Bhopal Gas Peedit Sangharsh Sahayog Samiti said
"I am quite sure that we will be able to take up the issue with the Parliamentary Committee in India, which has representation from various political parties."
Heidi Hautala - EU Assistance