Methyl Isocyanate (Metil Isocianato)
CAS# 624-83-9

(C₂H₃NO)

ToxFAQs™ / Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 1apr2002

[See below: Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. The substance may have effects on the respiratory tract. Causes toxicity to human reproduction or development. From International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS)]

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about methyl isocyanate. For more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. This information is important because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: People working in facilities that produce or use methyl isocyanate have the highest risk of being exposed to this chemical. Exposure to low levels of methyl isocyanate can cause eye and throat irritation. People exposed to high levels of methyl isocyanate in the air have experienced severe lung and eye damage. Methyl isocyanate has been found in at least 1 of the 1,585 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is methyl isocyanate?

Methyl isocyanate is a colorless highly flammable liquid that evaporates quickly when exposed to the air. It has a sharp, strong odor.

Methyl isocyanate is used in the production of pesticides, polyurethane foam, and plastics.

What happens to methyl isocyanate when it enters the environment?

When released to air, it will exist solely as a gas. Methyl isocyanate gas is degraded rapidly in the air by reacting with substances commonly found in the air. Methyl isocyanate will also be broken down by moisture from clouds and rainfall. It will only persist in the atmosphere a few hours to a few days before being degraded.

Methyl isocyanate is rapidly (minutes to a few hours) degraded in water into other compounds.. Most of the methyl isocyanate released to soil will be broken down into other compounds upon contact with moisture. Small amounts of methyl isocyanate may evaporate into air.

Methyl isocyanate does not accumulate in the food chain.

How might I be exposed to methyl isocyanate?

Methyl isocyanate has been found in the smoke from tobacco, so people who smoke or breathe second-hand smoke may be exposed to this compound.

You can be exposed to methyl isocyanate by breathing or touching it at workplaces where this compound is produced or used.

People living near facilities which manufacture, store or use the chemical may breathe in low levels of it.

How can methyl isocyanate affect my health?

Methyl isocyanate can be harmful if you breathe it. The effects depend on how much you are exposed to and for how long. Exposure to low levels might cause eye and throat irritation that could cause you to cough or wheeze. Higher concentrations of methyl isocyanate gas could cause your lungs to swell, making it difficult to breathe. This could happen quickly or might not be noticed for a day or two. Exposure to high concentrations could result in severe damage to your lungs that might be fatal. If you were to survive severe damage to your lungs, they would probably heal. But, some damage might not be completely repaired.

Long-term exposure to methyl isocyanate could result in long-term lung damage.

If you were to get methyl isocyanate gas or liquid on your skin or in your eyes, you could develop chemical burns. Eye damage could be severe; in some cases, it could be permanent.

You are not likely to come into skin contact with liquid methyl isocyanate. You are also not likely to swallow methyl isocyanate liquid, but if you did, your mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach could become damaged.

An increased rate of spontaneous abortion was seen in women who were pregnant when they were exposed to methyl isocyanate gas following the explosion of a tank containing liquid methyl isocyanate. But it is not known whether these effects were specifically linked to methyl isocyanate exposure.

How likely is methyl isocyanate to cause cancer?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the U.S. EPA have not classified methyl isocyanate as to its carcinogenicity. There is no additional information to determine whether exposure to methyl isocyanate might cause cancer.

How does methyl isocyanate affect children?

There are no studies on the health effects of children exposed to methyl isocyanate. It is likely that the health effects seen in children exposed to methyl isocyanate will be similar to the effects seen in adults. We do not know whether children differ from adults in their susceptibility to methyl isocyanate.

An increased rate of neonatal death was seen in babies whose mothers had been exposed during pregnancy to methyl isocyanate gas when a tank containing the chemical exploded. But it is not known whether these effects were specifically linked to methyl isocyanate exposure. Animal studies indicate that fetal exposure to methyl isocyanate may result in damage to the fetus.

How can families reduce the risk of exposure to methyl isocyanate?

Most families will not be exposed to significant levels of methyl isocyanate.

Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to methyl isocyanate?

Animal studies indicate that methyl isocyanate could be detected in your blood or urine. However, specific tests for the presence of methyl isocyanate in blood or urine are not generally useful. If you suspect that you may have been exposed to methyl isocyanate, chest x-rays, blood analyses, and breathing tests might show whether the lungs have been injured.

Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set an exposure limit of 0.02 parts of methyl isocyanate per million parts of workplace air (0.02 ppm) for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour work week.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2002. Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents. Volume III – Medical Management Guidelines for Acute Chemical Exposures: Methyl Isocyanate. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

Where can I get more information?

ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

For more information, contact:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Division of Toxicology 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32 Atlanta, GA 30333 Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737) FAX: (770)-488-4178 Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov 

source: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts182.html 3dec2005

About ATSDR The mission of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), as an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is to serve the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and disease related to toxic substances.

ATSDR is directed by congressional mandate to perform specific functions concerning the effect on public health of hazardous substances in the environment. These functions include public health assessments of waste sites, health consultations concerning specific hazardous substances, health surveillance and registries, response to emergency releases of hazardous substances, applied research in support of public health assessments, information development and dissemination, and education and training concerning hazardous substances.

Also see: http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0527.htm 

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METHYL ISOCYANATE

What is methyl isocyanate?

Methyl isocyanate (MIS) is a chemical used in the manufacture of polyurethane foam, pesticides and plastics. It usually is handled and shipped as a liquid, which is easily burned and explosive. Methyl isocyanate evaporates quickly in the air. It has a strong odor but it can begin to make people sick before the chemical can be smelled. MIS was the chemical released in the Bhopal, India, disaster in 1984 that killed more than 3,800 people.

How can someone come into contact with methyl isocyanate?

• A person can come into contact with methyl isocyanate by—
• Breathing in the smoke from tobacco (i.e., cigarette smoke);
• Breathing in or touching it at workplaces where the chemical is produced or used; or
• Breathing in low levels of it from living near facilities that manufacture, store or use the chemical.

Methyl isocyanate as a weapon: 
Methyl isocyanate can be an “agent of opportunity.” This means that someone could explode the vehicle of transportation (truck, train) that is being used to ship the chemical, or destroy tanks that store the chemical. Methyl isocyanate would then be released into the air.

Please note: Just because you come into contact with methyl isocyanate does not mean you will get sick from it.

What happens if someone gets sick from methyl isocyanate?

Signs of a poisoning include the following:

discomfort and burning of the skin
cough
chest pain
tightness in the chest
difficulty breathing
vomiting

How likely is someone to die from methyl isocyanate poisoning?

The effects of methyl isocyanate will depend on the concentration of exposure and length of time the person is exposed. Exposure to high concentrations could result in severe damage to the lungs and lead to death.

What is the treatment for methyl isocyanate poisoning?

Prevention of illness after contact: 
First, leave the area where the methyl isocyanate was released and move to fresh air. Remove clothing.

Then, quickly take off clothing that may have methyl isocyanate on it. If possible, any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead so the chemical does not get near the eyes, mouth or nose. If helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas. Wash affected areas.

As quickly as possible, wash any methyl isocyanate from the skin with lots of soap and water.

If the eyes are burning or vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.

If contact lenses are worn, remove them and put them with the contaminated clothing. Do not put the contacts back in. If eyeglasses are worn, wash them with soap and water. Eyeglasses can be put back on after they are washed.

If you are wearing jewelry that you can wash with soap and water, wash it and put it back on. If it cannot be washed, put it with the contaminated clothing.

Discard contaminated items.

Place the clothing and any other contaminated items inside a plastic bag. Avoid touching contaminated areas of the clothing. If you can't avoid touching contaminated areas, or you aren't sure where the contaminated areas are, wear rubber gloves or use tongs, sticks or similar objects. Anything that touches the contaminated clothing should also be placed in the bag.

Seal the bag, and then seal that bag inside another plastic bag.

Call the local county health department right away. (Visit www.idph.state.il.us//local/alpha.htm for a listing of all county health departments in Illinois or check your local phone book.) When the local or state health department or emergency personnel arrive, tell them what you did with your clothes. The health department or emergency personnel will arrange for further disposal. Do not handle the plastic bags yourself.

Treatment of illness:  
There is no specific treatment for methyl isocyanate poisoning. Supportive care (intravenous fluids, medicine to control pain) is the standard treatment.

Is there a vaccine for methyl isocyanate poisoning?

No, there is no vaccine for methyl isocyanate poisoning.

What should be done if someone comes into contact with methyl isocyanate?

If you think that you or someone you know may have come into contact with methyl isocyanate, contact the local county health department right away. (Visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/local/alpha.htm for a listing of all county health departments in Illinois or check your local phone book.)

If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of methyl isocyanate poisoning, call your health care provider or the Illinois Poison Center right away. The toll-free number for the poison center is 1-800-222-1222.

Where can one get more information about methyl isocyanate?

• U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts182.html (above)
• Illinois Department of Public Health http://www.idph.state.il.us 
• Illinois Poison Center http://www.IllinoisPoisonCenter.org 

 

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 

Methyl isocyanate (also isocyanatomethane, methyl carbylamine, MIC. C₂H₃NO; H₃C-N=C=O) is a clear, colorless, sharp smelling liquid. It is highly flammable, boils at 39.1 °C and has a low flash point.

It is extremely toxic and can damage by inhalation, ingestion and contact in quantities as low as 0.4 ppm. Damage includes coughing, chest pain, dyspnea, asthma, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat as well as skin damage. Higher levels of exposure, over 21 ppm, can result in pulmonary or lung edema, emphysema and hemorrhages, bronchial pneumonia and death. A detectable odor of methyl isocyanate is a concentration triple the permissible exposure.

The toxic effect of the compound was apparent in the accidental release of around 40,000 kilograms of methyl isocyanate over Bhopal, India on December 3, 1984.

It is an intermediate chemical in the production of carbamate pesticides (such as carbaryl, carbofuran, methomyl, and aldicarb). It has also been used in the production of rubbers and adhesives.

It was discovered in 1888 as an ester of isocyanic acid.

See also: Bhopal Disaster, pesticide poisoning.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methyl_isocyanate 3dec2005

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Bhopal Gas Tragedy: An Analysis

Pratima Ungarala Final Paper HU 521/Dale Sullivan 5/19/98

 

Introduction 

Around 1 a.m. on Monday, the 3rd of December, 1984, in a densely populated region in the city of Bhopal, Central India, a poisonous vapor burst from the tall stacks of the Union Carbide pesticide plant. This vapor was a highly toxic cloud of methyl isocyanate. Of the 800,000 people living in Bhopal at the time, 2,000 died immediately, and as many as 300,000 were injured. In addition, about 7,000 animals were injured, of which about one thousand were killed. “A series of studies made five years later showed that many of the survivors were still suffering from one or several of the following ailments: partial or complete blindness, gastrointestinal disorders, impaired immune systems, post traumatic stress disorders, and menstrual problems in women. A rise in spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and offspring with genetic defects was also noted.” (The Bhopal Disaster) This incident we now refer to as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which has also been called “Hiroshima of the Chemical Industry” one of the worst commercial industrial disasters in history.(Cohen)

After the incidence, over the next few years, numerous studies were conducted, many theories were explored, and the involved parties accused each other. In this paper, I will try to explore the various causes offered for the tragedy. In the course of my research for this case study, I came across many articles that put blame on various people and groups involved in the tragedy. I found one document particularly interesting from a rhetorical standpoint. This document, titled Union Carbide: Disaster at Bhopal , was authored by the retired Vice President of Health, Safety and Environmental Programs in Union Carbide Corporation. So for this paper, I would also like to rhetorically analyze this document and also, try to explore the various image restoration strategies that Union Carbide Corporation used through the course of the crisis.

The Tragedy: 

Possible Causes The post-accident analysis of the process showed that the accident started when a tank containing methyl isocyanate (MIC) leaked. MIC is an extremely reactive chemical and is used in production of the insecticide carbaryl. It is presumed that the scientific reason for the accident at Bhopal is that water entered the tank where about 40 cubic meters of MIC was stored. When water and MIC mixed, an exothermic chemical reaction started, producing a lot of heat. As a result, the safety valve of the tank burst because of the increase in pressure. This burst was so violent that the coating of concrete around the tank also broke. It is presumed that between 20 and 30 tonnes of MIC were released during the hour that the leak took place. The gas leaked from a 30 m high chimney and this height was not enough to reduce the effects of the discharge. The reason was that the high moisture content (aerosol) in the discharge when evaporating, gave rise to a heavy gas which rapidly sank to the ground. The weather egged on this process. The conditions on the fateful day were typical for a clear night in the region, with a weak wind which frequently changed direction, which in turn helped the gas to cover more area in a shorter period of time (about one hour). The weak wind and the weak vertical turbulence caused a slow dilution of gas and thus allowed the poisonous gas to spread over considerable distances. (Chemical Accidents...)

Many different terms have been used to describe the events in Bhopal that early morning of December 3, 1984: accident, disaster, catastrophe, crisis and also as sabotage, conspiracy, massacre, and experiment, whichever best suited the arguments that would help to pin the ‘blame’ on somebody. In his book titled The Bhopal Tragedy: Language, Logic and Politics in the Production of a Hazard, the authorWilliam Bogard “Each of these descriptions, in its own way, minimizes the problem of human agency and intention, and thus refuses to address directly the issue of responsibility.”(ix) Bogard goes on to point out that the best way to describe this incidence would be a tragedy because, “In calling Bhopal a tragedy, we are still permitted to say that intention and agency were involved in how the event unfolded and that responsibility must ultimately rest with someone or some group. But unlike saying that Bhopal was the deliberate result of sabotage, a conspiracy, or some diabolical experiment involving human guinea pigs- charges that are virtually impossible to prove in any case- a tragedy, in contrast, emerges out of a complex of confused and misguided intentions, many of which may be honorable in themselves but when forged to the actual chain of events produce the worst possible outcome.”(Bogard, ix) In the last twelve years, numerous studies have been conducted on the incident and there are numerous deductions. In most of the studies, the two main agencies analyzed were the Union Carbide Corporation and the Indian Government of the Late Primeminister Rajiv Gandhi and the Madhya Pradesh state government of Arjun Singh. One of the main reasons for the tragedy was found to be a result of a combination of human factors and an incorrectly designed safety system. “A portion of the safety equipment at the plant had been non-operational for four months and the rest failed. When the plant finally sounded an alarm—an hour after the toxic cloud had escaped—much of the harm had already been done.”(The Bhopal Disaster). Union Carbide itself believed the theory that the tragedy resulted when “ a disgruntled plant employee, apparently bent on spoiling a batch of methyl isocyanate, added water to a storage tank”(Browning). Still others, like the many experts in industrial safety, believe that the tragedy was preventable, arguing that it was the due to “....the negligence on the part of the Union Carbide Corporation and its corporate subsidiary Union Carbide of India Ltd.(UCIL), which had the responsibility for taking care of the day-to-day operations of the facility”(Bogard 4). The corporation and its subsidiary were also charged with corporate irresponsibility for pursuing the profits instead of the safety and hazard standards. The Madhya Pradesh State government had not mandated any safety standards and Union Carbide failed to implement its own (i.e. US) safety rules, apparently comfortable in the knowledge that it was not contravening Indian regulation. “The Bhopal plant experienced six accidents between 1981 and 1984, at least three of which involved MIC or phosgene, a highly poisonous gas used in World War I and a component in the manufacture of MIC. The accidents were generally small scale- one worker was killed in 1981- but official inquiries required by law were often shelved or tended to minimize the government’s or the company’s role”(Bogard 5). It is noted that it was probably this pattern of neglect that failed to bring about the much needed change in the malfunctioning safety equipment and improperly trained workers at the chemical plant. Even so, this negligent behavior on the part of Union Carbide regarding safety standards raised little concern among the citizens of Bhopal. So, why were the people of Bhopal so indifferent when voicing their concerns on the safety factors in the Union Carbide plant? Why was nothing done about the defective safety equipment? To understand this, it is important to understand that India is a poor nation. The country needed pesticides to protect her agricultural production. MIC is used to produce pesticides that control insects which would in turn, help increase production of food - central to India’s Green Revolution, which was ironically, US imposed. Initially, India imported the MIC from the United States. In an attempt to achieve industrial self-sufficiency, India invited Union Carbide to set up a plant in the state of Madhya Pradesh to produce methyl isocyanate. The license was given to them on the belief that the chemical industry would provide the desperately needed jobs and capital for the people of the country. To the people of the city of Bhopal, Union Carbide was a highly respected , technically advanced Western company that would bring them the jobs they needed. This coupled with political power and scientific expertise worked together to changed the people’s perception of what was dangerous and more importantly what was safe.

The Analysis:

Union Carbide’s Reaction Through all the months immediately following the incident, Union Carbide never directly apologized to the Indian government and her people or to the people of Bhopal. The Indian Government, in response to the tragedy and pressure from the Indian people, filed a compensation lawsuit against the UCC for an estimated $3 billion. On the other hand, Union Carbide strongly felt that the Indian government was to blame. This was the headlines in The New York Times on Dec. 17, 1986, The Union Carbide Corporation in Dec., 1986, while continuing to deny liability, filed a countersuit against the government of India and the State of Madhya Pradesh regarding the 1984 disaster at Carbide's Bhopal subsidiary. The company is charging the governments with "contributory" responsibility for the leak of poisonous gases, saying both governments knew of the toxicity of methyl isocyanate but failed to take adequate precautions to prevent a disaster. The government of India has sued Union Carbide for at least $3 billion in compensation for the victims of the leak of methyl isocyanate.(D4) This was iterated in the document titled Union Carbide: Disaster at Bhopal , written by Jackson B. Browning for the Union Carbide Corporation. At the time of the Bhopal tragedy, Jackson B. Browning was the Vice President responsible for the Health, Safety, and Environmental Programs in the corporation. He was one of the spokesmen for the corporation during the crisis in 1984 and was also in charge of the teams that responded to and investigated the tragedy. He retired from UCC in 1986.

Browning’s document outlines the various aspects of the Bhopal tragedy from the perspective of the Union Carbide Corporation. In the very second paragraph on page one of the article, the author notes that the cause for the accident, as believed by the parent company- “Although it was not known at the time, the gas was formed when a disgruntled plant employee, apparently bent on spoiling a batch of methyl isocyanate, added water to a storage tank.”(Browning). This was the main argument by UCC in their defense and they still maintain the same. The corporation needed to divert the blame for the tragedy from themselves to something or somebody else, especially one that would catch the attention of anybody remotely interested in the incident. They used “sabotage”. What I found interesting was that on the one hand Browning called the incident of December 3rd a “massive industrial disaster” and on the other hand, a premeditated action- a sabotage. To me, the two don’t fit together. Disaster would mean ‘even if we knew, we could have done nothing about it’ and sabotage on the other hand would mean ‘if the process had not been tampered with, there would have been no leak, no loss of life’. But this was clearly not the case. Studies conducted on this incidence by a Dr. Paul Shrivastava, tell a completely different story. Dr. Paul Shrivastava, an Associate Professor of Business in NewYork University and Executive Director Industrial Crisis Institute Inc., NY conducted studies that revealed that Bhopal was neither an isolated incident nor the first of its kind in the corporation. There had been many accidents of similar nature in UCC's American plants prior to the Bhopal accident. He found that 28 major MIC leaks had occurred in UCC’s West Virginia plant during the five years preceding the Bhopal incident, the last one occurring only a month before. His studies found that the ‘sabotage’ theory was UCC’s way to avoid paying the huge amount that the Indian government had demanded as settlement. Interestingly, UCC, till date, has been unsuccessful in presenting any evidence to prove that theory and has never disclosed the name of the supposedly guilty employee.(Ahuja)

All the previous accidents in the other Union Carbide plants were not highly publicized events, and hence, there were no repercussions that UCC had to face. But in the case of the Bhopal tragedy, the magnitude of the incident worked against them and made it difficult for them to distance themselves from it. In his article, discussing the theories of image restoration, Benoit notes that there are two components to an attack on one’s image: an undesirable act has been committed and you are responsible for that action. “Only if both of these conditions are believed to be true by the relevant audiences is the actor’s reputation at risk...”(71). The Bhopal incident was too big for the public to ignore and added to everything else, there was a huge loss of human life. This naturally drew attention. Even Browning notes in his article that “ the scope of the Bhopal tragedy made it to “page one” material in the weeks and months that followed.” Union Carbide was under attack from all sides as news of the leak spread and they needed to make arguments to achieve one particular goal- “restoring or protecting their reputation”(Benoit 71). Benoit argues that “....when our reputation is threatened, we feel compelled to offer explanations, defenses, justifications, rationalizations, apologies or excuses for our behavior”(70). But these defenses and excuses needed to be made to the audience that mattered the most to you. To the Union Carbide Corporation in the United States, the audiences were the people around them in the US and the media.

The Press seemed to be the main focus in Browning document. The tone of the document suggested that the main audiences to pacify would be the media and once that was done the corporation would have definitely ‘saved face’. The other relevant audiences needed to be identified carefully. In the document, Browning has a sub-section titled “Keeping Vital Audiences Informed”. Under this section, Browning himself clearly identifies that audiences they were responding to: the most visible-the media, and other interested parties like the customers, shareholders, suppliers and other employees. Nowhere in this whole section was there a mention of the people of India or the people of Bhopal. There seemed an urgency for the corporation to assure the people of the United States who were their main stockholders, that such an incident would not happen here. Browning notes in the document that Warren Anderson, the then chairman of the UCC, and he were summoned to appear before the House Commerce and Energy Committee to answer one question- “Can it happen here?” It seems like this pretty much proved that the process of image restoration for the corporation was not all that difficult because of the large distance between the ‘vital’ audiences and the site of the disaster Bhopal. In his discussion of the tragedy, Benoit notes, The unusual aspect of Carbide’s public image is the fact that the public believed Union Carbide was responsible for Bhopal and had not told the truth about it- yet had a generally favorable overall opinion about the company. This may reflect a partial lack of interest in events that occurred in distant lands and suggests that salience of the accusations to the audience of an important factor of image restoration.(140) This shows an important factor of restoring one’s image in the eyes of the public depends to a great extent on how relevant the unfavorable event is in their eyes, in other words, how close to home is the tragedy.

As the first step towards image restoration, Browning’s main strategy seems to have been to distance the corporation from the site of the disaster. Browning, very early in the document, points out that the Union Carbide Corporation had only 50.9% stake in the affiliate, the Union Carbide India Ltd. He also makes clear that all the employees in the company were Indians and that “...the last American employee at the site had left two years[1982] before.” Union Carbide Corporation maintained that it did not have any hold over its Indian affiliate. The UCC argued that the day-to-day working in UCIL was independent of the parent company and hence it was not to be held responsible. But most of the research showed that this was not really true. In spite of denials, it appears the Union Carbide company in Danbury, Connecticut had substantial authority over its affiliate......Many of the day to day details, such as staffing and maintenance, were left to Indian officials, but every major decision, such as the annual budget, had to be cleared with the American headquarters, and directives were often issued from the US.(Bogard 28) And in addition to this, by both Indian and US laws, a parent company (UCC in this case) holds full responsibility for any plants they operate through subsidiaries and in which they have the majority stake.Hence, it seemed like the main aim of making an argument that UCIL was independent could be for two purposes: 1) to avoid paying the large sum of $3,000 million that India demanded as compensation or 2) to find a ‘scapegoat’ to divert the blame onto. In his article, Keith Michael Hearit, an Assistant Professor in Communication Studies, Purdue University, discusses the concept of scapegoating with respect to saving face, “ .....instances in which corporations cannot deny the validity of the charges, they are forced to deal with the issue of guilt and responsibility to restore their social legitimacy. At such time, corporate apologist offer individual/group dissociations. An individual/group dissociation is a scapegoating strategy by which a rhetor seeks too transfer guilt to another.” (8) In this case, UCC, by noting that UCIL had an all Indian workforce and the last American employed had left two years before, attempted to restore its image by differentiating the affiliate from the rest of the organization. This is one of the many modes of image restoration discussed by Benoit.

William Benoit has an interesting and detailed discussion of the theory of Image Restoration in his book titled Accounts, Excuses and Apologies. He lists five categories that, he argues, identify instances of image restoration strategies in a defensive discourse: · Denial · Evading Responsibility · Reducing Offensiveness of Event · Corrective Action · Mortification Defense by denial can be done in two ways- simply denying that the accused committed the act or by shifting the blame on something that the accused can distance itself from. The accused could also evade responsibility either by claiming to have been provoked or defeasibility -claiming lack of information, or declare that the event was an accident or claim that the act was done with good intentions. The third method that Benoit talks about is by reducing the perceived offensiveness of the act by either minimizing or bolstering or differentiation or transcendence or in turn attack the accuser or by compensation which reduces the perceived severity of the injury. Another strategy used for image restoration is corrective action. Audiences may well forgive the accused if the accused is promise to remedy the problem and never do it again. The last strategy is mortification, the sincere apology. This is often a never used strategy.(73-74)

Union Carbide used some of these strategies to restore its reputation after the gas leak in Bhopal. One of the strategies employed is that of ‘corrective action’ and stands out in an interesting section of Browning’s document titled “Safety Emphasized”. Under this section, Browning tries to establishe that Bhopal was a stray incident and should not be held against the corporation because “No analysis of Union Carbide’s reaction to the Bhopal tragedy is possible without recognizing the considerable emphasis the company and its affiliates had placed on safe operations”(Browning). To lend credibility to the corporation’s cause, Browning cites an international management specialist, Dr. Richard Robinson, a professor in Massachusetts Institute of Technology, commenting on the tragedy as saying that Union Carbide was one of those multinational corporations who were very dedicated to the safety aspect of their plants and that “ it is particularly depressing that it was Union Carbide which was involved”. Browning notes that considering the company’s strict safety policies that the news of the Bhopal tragedy was “astounding”. Arguments in this section are more devoted to explaining that it would be unfair to assume that the accusations that UCC was not careful with safety, were true. It is, in a sense, a form of apologia- the corporation is utilizing the “act/essence dissociation. An act/essence dissociation distances the apologist from the wrongdoing by arguing that while the wrongdoing admittedly occurred, it was an isolated act that does not represent the apologist’s true nature.”(Hearit 9) And this is often followed by the next step -to point out how the corporation has worked to remedying the unfortunate incidence. This is exactly what Union Carbide Corporation did.

Under the two sections titled “First Steps At Control” and “Contingency Planning and Experience Help”, Browning lists out all the things that UCC did immediately following the first call they got about the tragedy. He notes that vital decisions were made - the UCC facility making MIC in the US was shut down; a task force led by the chairman of UCC, Warren Anderson, was set up; medical and technical teams were dispatched to the site of the tragedy “within 24 hours”. He also noted that “Union Carbide had a contingency plan for emergencies” The people of UCC worked together, with the press and the ‘vital audiences’, in to help in dealing with the “terrible facts of the tragedy”. What is interesting is that most of the research done on the incident points to the fact that Union Carbide did not have any kind of emergency plans in its Indian subsidiary. So much so that when the accident occurred and people started pouring into the hospitals in Bhopal complaining about the various ailments, the hospital staff had on idea of what had happened or what to do. “The city health officials had not been informed of the toxicity of the chemicals used at the Union Carbide factory. There were no emergency plans or procedures in place and no knowledge of how to deal with the poisonous cloud.”(The Bhopal Disaster)

Browning ends his document noting, with confidence, that the approach used by UCC at the time of the disaster were in his opinion “correct ones”. He also notes that today’s Union Carbide Corporation is a very different company. The Corporation now works twice as hard on its safety operations and that “money and staff were committed to those objectives”.

Conclusion

Thirteen years later not much has changed. Union Carbide India Ltd. is an abandoned site in Bhopal. UCC sold its share of the affiliate. In October of 1991, the Indian Supreme Court upheld a settlement, which had been appealed from a lower court decision of 1989, under which Union Carbide had to pay $470 million in compensation of all claims. In 1996, at Union Carbide's annual meeting, William H. Joyce, its chief executive, declared that the company had no intention of doing anything further for the victims. This resolve was apparently reversed, as the company announced that it is planning to support the building of a $ 20 million hospital for the victims of the Bhopal tragedy through a London based independent charitable trust. The construction should be complete in mid-1998 and will be operational by the end of this year.

Today, Union Carbide is a six billion dollar company, whose worldwide sales percentage is increasing every financial year. It seems like their image restoration strategy worked for them. “Union Carbide may have been aided in this matter by an unconscious ethnocentric bias in the public. It is reasonable to assume that if this terrible tragedy had occurred here in the United states (rather than in a foreign country), its image would have suffered even more.” (Benoit, 141).

Bhopal was one of the worst industrial disasters in history. For all its horrors, the tragedy had at least one beneficial consequence- the intense public debate that followed the tragedy made more private citizens aware of the hazards of the chemical industry as a whole. It put the lethal nature of the chemical industry in out in the open. In response to this, the Chemical Manufacturing Association created the ‘Responsible Care Program’ that is now being implemented worldwide in at least 22 countries. The Program's aim is to improve community awareness, emergency response and employee health and safety.

In this paper, I attempted analyze Browning’s document and draw from it the rhetorical implications of Union Carbide’s perspective on the Bhopal tragedy. This is by no means an in-depth inquiry of the various image restorations strategies that the Union Carbide Corporation might have used. This is at best the tip of the iceberg.

Bibliography

Ahuja, Chetan “Bhopal Tragedy and the New York Times” URL : http://slater.cem.msu.edu/~ahuja/bhopal.html

Benoit, William L. Accounts, Excuses and Apologies: A Theory of Image Restoration Strategies New York : State Univ. of New York Press 1995

Bogard, William The Bhopal Tragedy: Language, Logic and Politics in the Production of a Hazard SanFransico: Westview Press, Inc. 1989

Browning, Jackson B. “Union Carbide: Disaster at Bhopal” Bhopal WWW URL: http://www.bhopal.com/ (May 15, 1998)

Cohen, Gary “Bhopal And The New World Order” Third World Network URL: http://rtk.net/E8734T660 (May 15, 1998)

EarthBase “The Bhopal Disaster” WWW URL: http://www.earthbase.org/home/timeline/1984/bhopal/ (May 15, 1998)

Eubank, Annette and Peter Montague, "Union Carbide Says Indian Failed to Regulate Union Carbide, Thus Bears Responsibility for Bhopal." The New York Times Dec. 17, 1986: D4

Hearit, Keith Michael “Mistakes Were Made: Organizations, Apologia, and Crises of Social Legitimacy” Communication Studies v 6 Spring 1995

Kurzman, Dan A Killing Wind: Inside Union Carbide and the Bhopal Catastrophe New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company. 1987

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons “Chemical Accidents: Causes, effects and important influencing factors” WWW URL: http://www.opcw.nl/chemhaz/chemacci.htm (May 15, 1998)

source: http://www.hu.mtu.edu/hu_dept/tc@mtu/papers/bhopal.htm 3dec2005

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Medical Management Guidelines (MMGs) 
for 
Methyl Isocyanate 
(C₂H₃NO) 

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CAS# 624-83-9  [www.cas.org]
UN# 2480 
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Synonyms include isocyanomethane, isocyanatomethane, methylcarbylamine, and MIC.

Persons exposed only to methyl isocyanate gas pose no risk of secondary contamination. Persons whose skin or clothing is contaminated with liquid methyl isocyanate can secondarily contaminate rescuers by direct contact or through offgassing of vapor.  

At temperatures below 39ºC (102ºF), methyl isocyanate is a very flammable colorless liquid that readily evaporates when exposed to air. Gaseous methyl isocyanate is slightly heavier than air.  

Although methyl isocyanate has a pungent odor, adverse health effects have been reported at or below the human odor threshold; therefore, odor detection is not a reliable indicator of exposure.  

Methyl isocyanate is readily absorbed through the upper respiratory tract. Methyl isocyanate can also be absorbed through the digestive tract or skin. 

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General Information 

Description 
At temperatures below 39ºC (102ºF), methyl isocyanate is a very flammable liquid that readily evaporates when exposed to air. Gaseous methyl isocyanate is approximately 1.4 times heavier than air. Methyl isocyanate liquid is colorless with a pungent odor. Most people can smell methyl isocyanate vapors at levels as low as 2 to 5 ppm. Methyl isocyanate is handled and transported as a very flammable and explosive liquid. 

Routes of Exposure  

Inhalation 
Inhalation is the major route of exposure to methyl isocyanate. The vapors are readily absorbed through the lungs. The odor threshold is approximately 100 to 250 times higher than the OSHA PEL-TWA (0.02 ppm). Significant exposures to methyl isocyanate occur primarily in occupational settings. Acute exposure to methyl isocyanate vapors below the odor threshold can be irritating to the eye and respiratory epithelium. Acute exposure to higher vapor concentrations may cause severe pulmonary edema and injury to the alveolar walls of the lung and death. Survivors of acute exposures may exhibit long-term respiratory effects. Odors of methyl isocyanate may not provide adequate warning of hazardous concentrations because the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) limit is only 3 ppm and the threshold for detection of methyl isocyanate vapors ranges from 2 to 5 ppm in humans. Significant exposure to methyl isocyanate vapors would most likely be the result of accidental release of methyl isocyanate to the air such as occurred in Bhopal, India in 1984, where the primary effect was pulmonary edema with some alveolar wall destruction. Methyl isocyanate is heavier than air; therefore, exposure in poorly ventilated, enclosed, or low-lying areas could result in asphyxiation. 

Children exposed to the same levels of methyl isocyanate as adults may receive larger doses because they have relatively greater lung surface area:body weight ratios and higher minute volume:weight ratios. In addition, they may be exposed to higher levels than adults in the same location because of their short stature and the higher levels of methyl isocyanate found nearer to the ground. Children may be more vulnerable to corrosive agents than adults because of the smaller diameter of their airways. 

Skin/Eye Contact 
Direct contact with liquid or concentrated vapors of methyl isocyanate may cause irritation of the skin or eyes and severe ocular damage. Direct skin contact may result in dermal absorption. Significant dermal exposure to methyl isocyanate would not likely occur outside an occupational environment in which methyl isocyanate is stored or used. 

Because of their relatively larger surface area:weight ratio, children are more vulnerable to toxicants absorbed through the skin. 

Ingestion 
Although unlikely, ingestion of liquid methyl isocyanate could produce severe gastrointestinal irritation.

Sources/Uses 
Methyl isocyanate is made by reacting methylamine with phosgene. The primary use of methyl isocyanate is as a chemical intermediate in the production of pesticides. It is also used to produce polyurethane foams and plastics. 

Standards and Guidelines 
OSHA PEL (permissible exposure limit) = 0.02 ppm (averaged over an 8-hour workshift) with a skin notation 

NIOSH IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) = 3 ppm 

AIHA ERPG-2 (maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all persons could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing or developing irreversible or other serious health effects or symptoms that could impair their abilities to take protective action) = 0.5 ppm 

Physical Properties 
Description: Colorless liquid at room temperature; volatile, flammable, explosive in air 

Warning properties:   

• Pungent odor of methyl isocyanate may not be adequate to warn of acute exposure. Most people can detect methyl isocyanate at levels of 2 to 5 ppm (1 ppm is equivalent to 2.35 mg/m³) 
• Molecular weight: 57.05 daltons 
• Boiling point (760 mm Hg): 102ºF (39.1ºC) 
• Freezing point: -49ºF (-45ºC) 
• Vapor pressure: 348 mm Hg at 68ºF (20ºC) 
• Vapor density: 1.42 (air = 1.00) 
• Water solubility: 6.7% at 68ºF (20ºC) 
• Flammability: highly flammable 
• Flammable Range: 5.3% to 26% (concentration in air) 

Incompatibilities 
Methyl isocyanate reacts violently with water. Methyl isocyanate is incompatible with oxidizers, acids, alkalis, amines, iron, tin, and copper.

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Health Effects 

Methyl isocyanate is irritating and corrosive to the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. Acute exposure to high vapor concentrations may cause severe pulmonary edema and injury to the alveolar walls of the lung, severe corneal damage, and death. Survivors of acute exposures may exhibit long-term respiratory and ocular effects. Methyl isocyanate may be a dermal and respiratory sensitizer. 
Mechanisms of methyl isocyanate-induced toxicity are not known. Persistent respiratory and ocular effects may reflect methyl isocyanate-induced immunologic effects. Methyl isocyanate may cross the placenta and enter a developing fetus. Individuals especially susceptible to the toxic effects of methyl isocyanate include those with existing disorders of the respiratory system or eyes. 

Acute Exposure 
Mechanisms of toxicity have not been clearly elucidated for methyl isocyanate; however, carbamylation of globin and blood proteins may play a role. Persistent respiratory and ocular effects may reflect methyl isocyanate-induced immunologic effects since antibodies specific to methyl isocyanate have been demonstrated in the blood of exposed patients. Methyl isocyanate is highly reactive; therefore, it is not metabolized in the classical sense. The onset of respiratory effects following acute exposure to methyl isocyanate can be immediate in some cases. In others, respiratory injury can evolve over periods of hours or days. Exposure-related deaths sometimes can occur as late as 30 or more days post-exposure, due in part to the development of pneumonia. 

Children do not always respond to chemicals in the same way that adults do. Different protocols for managing their care may be needed. 

Respiratory 
Methyl isocyanate vapors are severely irritating and corrosive to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include cough, chest pain, dyspnea, coma, and death. Irritative respiratory symptoms such as pulmonary edema and bronchial spasms may occur in immediate response to exposure. Methyl isocyanate-induced pulmonary edema may progress to effects such as alveolar wall destruction and pneumonia, which may ultimately lead to respiratory failure and death. Some respiratory effects may progress in severity over a period of hours to days post-exposure. Asthmatic reactions and long-term respiratory effects have been reported. 

Children may be more vulnerable to corrosive agents than adults because of the smaller diameter of their airways. Children also may be more vulnerable to gas exposure because of relatively higher minute ventilation per kg and failure to evacuate an area promptly when exposed. 

Ocular/Ophthalmic 
Severe eye irritation can result from exposure to methyl isocyanate vapors or direct contact with the liquid. Symptoms may include immediate eye pain, lacrimation, photophobia, profuse lid edema, and corneal ulcerations. Ocular exposure may result in long-term or permanent eye damage. 

Dermal 
Methyl isocyanate is a skin irritant and may cause chemical burns upon dermal contact at high exposure levels. 

Because of their relatively larger surface area: body weight ratio, children are more vulnerable to toxicants that affect the skin. 

Gastrointestinal 
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and defecation have been reported after acute exposure to methyl isocyanate vapors.

Potential Sequelae 
Initial irritative symptoms of the respiratory tract may progress to more serious respiratory injury over a period of hours to days following exposure to methyl isocyanate vapors. Compromised lung tissue may be susceptible to bacterial pneumonias. Exposure may result in permanent eye damage. Methyl isocyanate may also be a respiratory and dermal sensitizer. Renal tubular necrosis, reduced liver function, and miscarriage were associated with methyl isocyanate exposure in the Bhopal, India incident.

Chronic Exposure 
Chronic exposure to methyl isocyanate may result in chronic obstructive lung disease. 

Carcinogenicity 
Methyl isocyanate has not been classified for carcinogenicity.

Reproductive and Developmental Effects 
Methyl isocyanate is not included in the list of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicants, a 1991 report published by the U.S. General Accounting Office that lists 30 chemicals of concern because of widely acknowledged reproductive and developmental consequences. Increased rates of spontaneous abortions and neonatal deaths among victims of the Bhopal accident were observed for months following exposure. However, the precise role of methyl isocyanate in developmental toxicity is difficult to determine. Poor oxygenation resulting from compromised lung function may be involved. Animal studies indicate that inhalation exposure during gestation may result in decreased numbers of live births and decreased survival during lactation. There was no evidence of a dominant lethal effect in exposed male mice. Genotoxicity testing in animals indicates that methyl isocyanate may have the capacity to affect chromosome structure, but it apparently does not induce gene mutations.

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Prehospital Management 

Persons exposed only to methyl isocyanate gas pose no risk of secondary contamination to rescuers. Persons whose skin or clothing is contaminated with liquid methyl isocyanate can secondarily contaminate response personnel by direct contact or through off-gassing of vapor. 
Methyl isocyanate is irritating to the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. Early symptoms may include eye irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath. In cases of severe exposure, later symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhea. Acute exposure to high vapor concentrations may cause relatively rapid and severe pulmonary edema, alveolar wall injury, and corneal damage. Initial signs of irritation may progress to vomiting, diarrhea, and death. Survivors of acute exposures may exhibit long-term respiratory and ocular effects. Methyl isocyanate may be a dermal and respiratory sensitizer. 
There is no antidote for methyl isocyanate. Treatment consists of removal of the victim from the contaminated area and support of respiratory and cardiovascular functions. 

Hot Zone 
Rescuers should be trained and appropriately attired before entering the Hot Zone. If the proper equipment is not available, or if the rescuers have not been trained in its use, call for assistance from a local or regional hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team or other properly equipped response organization.

Rescuer Protection 
Inhaled methyl isocyanate is a severe respiratory tract irritant. Contamination of the skin can cause irritation or chemical burns. Contamination of the eyes can cause irritation and serious or long-term damage. Methyl isocyanate is absorbed through the skin. 

Respiratory protection: Positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full facepiece and operated in a positive pressure mode is recommended in response to situations that involve exposure to potentially unsafe levels of methyl isocyanate gas. 

Skin protection: Chemical protective clothing is recommended because methyl isocyanate can cause skin irritation and burns. Protective eye equipment is recommended to prevent eye contact. 

ABC Reminders 
Quickly establish a patent airway, ensure adequate respiration and pulse. Maintain adequate circulation. Provide supplemental oxygen if cardiopulmonary compromise is suspected. If trauma is suspected, maintain cervical immobilization manually and apply a cervical collar and a backboard when feasible. Apply direct pressure to stop any heavy bleeding.

Victim Removal 
If victims can walk, lead them out of the Hot Zone to the Decontamination Zone. Victims who are unable to walk should be removed on backboards or gurneys. If these are not available, carefully carry or drag victims to safety. 

Consider appropriate management of anxiety in victims with chemically-induced acute disorders, especially children who may suffer separation anxiety if separated from a parent or other adult. 

Decontamination Zone 
Patients exposed only to methyl isocyanate gas who have no eye or skin irritation do not need decontamination. They may be transferred immediately to the Support Zone. Other patients will require decontamination as described below. 

Rescuer Protection 
If exposure levels are determined to be safe, decontamination may be conducted by personnel wearing a lower level of protection than that required in the Hot Zone (described above).

ABC Reminders 
Quickly establish a patent airway, ensure adequate respiration and pulse. Maintain adequate circulation. Provide supplemental oxygen if cardiopulmonary compromise is suspected. If trauma is suspected, maintain cervical immobilization manually and apply a cervical collar and a backboard when feasible. Administer supplemental oxygen as required. Assist ventilation with a bag-valve-mask device if necessary. Apply direct pressure to control any heavy bleeding.

Basic Decontamination 
Rapid skin decontamination is critical. Victims who are able may assist with their own decontamination. Remove contaminated clothing and personal belongings and place them in double plastic bags. 

Wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water. Use caution to avoid hypothermia when decontaminating victims, particularly children or the elderly. Use blankets or warmers after decontamination as needed. 

Irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of tepid water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if they are easily removable without additional trauma to the eye. If pain or injury is evident, continue irrigation while transferring the victim to the Support Zone. 

In cases of ingestion, do not induce emesis. If the victim is not symptomatic, consider administering activated charcoal at a dose of 1 g/kg (infant, child, and adult dose). A soda can and straw may be of assistance when offering charcoal to a child. However, the effectiveness of activated charcoal in binding methyl isocyanate has not been demonstrated. 

If the victim is conscious and able to swallow, consider giving 4 to 8 ounces of water. 

Consider appropriate management of chemically contaminated children at the exposure site. Also, provide reassurance to the child during decontamination, especially if separation from a parent occurs. 

Transfer to Support Zone 
As soon as basic decontamination is complete, move the victim to the Support Zone.

Support Zone 
Be certain that victims have been decontaminated properly (see Decontamination Zone, above). Victims who have undergone decontamination or have been exposed only to methyl isocyanate gas pose no serious risk of secondary contamination to rescuers. In such cases, Support Zone personnel require no specialized protective gear. 

ABC Reminders 
Quickly establish a patent airway. If trauma is suspected, maintain cervical immobilization manually and apply a cervical collar and a backboard when feasible. Ensure adequate respiration and pulse. Administer supplemental oxygen as required and establish intravenous access if necessary. Place on a cardiac monitor, if available.

Additional Decontamination 
Continue irrigating exposed skin and eyes, as appropriate. 

In cases of ingestion, do not induce emesis. If the victim is not symptomatic, consider administering charcoal at a dose of 1 g/kg (infant, child, and adult dose). A soda can and straw may be of assistance when offering charcoal to a child. However, the effectiveness of activated charcoal in binding methyl isocyanate has not been demonstrated. 

If the victim is conscious and able to swallow, consider giving 4 to 8 ounces of water if it has not been given previously. 

Advanced Treatment 
Treat cases of respiratory compromise with respiratory support using protocols and techniques available and within the scope of training. Some cases may necessitate procedures such as endotracheal intubation or cricothyrotomy by properly trained and equipped personnel. 

Treat patients who have bronchospasm with oxygen, aerosolized bronchodilators such as albuterol, and/or steroids according to established protocol. 

In cases of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, which may be delayed in onset, maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Early use of mechanical ventilation and positive-end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may be required. To minimize barotrauma and other complications, use the lowest amount of PEEP possible while maintaining adequate oxygenation. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema.

Patients who are comatose, hypotensive, or having seizures or cardiac arrhythmias should be treated according to advanced life support (ALS) protocols. 

If evidence of shock or hypotension is observed begin fluid administration. For adults with systolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg, bolus perfusion of 1,000 mL/hour intravenous saline or lactated Ringer's solution may be appropriate. Higher adult systolic pressures may necessitate lower perfusion rates. For children with compromised perfusion administer a 20 mL/kg bolus of normal saline over 10 to 20 minutes, then infuse at 2 to 3 mL/kg/hour. Consider vasopressors if patient is hypotensive with a normal fluid volume. 

Transport to Medical Facility 
Only decontaminated patients or patients not requiring decontamination should be transported to a medical facility. "Body bags" are not recommended. 

Report the condition of the patient, treatment given, and estimated time of arrival at the medical facility to the base station and the receiving medical facility. 

If methyl isocyanate has been ingested, prepare the ambulance in case the victim vomits toxic material. Have ready several towels and open plastic bags to quickly clean up and isolate vomitus. 

Multi-Casualty Triage 
Consult with the base station physician or the regional poison control center for advice regarding triage of multiple victims. Patients who have histories or evidence suggesting significant exposure (e.g., altered behavior, respiratory distress, or chemical burns) should be transported to a medical facility for evaluation. 

Patients who have a history of chronic pulmonary disease should be clinically evaluated for airflow obstruction. Patients who have mild symptoms of respiratory or eye irritation should be clinically evaluated because onset of pulmonary edema may be delayed for up to 72 hours post-exposure and eye injury may need to be treated topically for inflammation or secondary infection. 

Patients who have symptoms of transient skin, nose, or eye irritation may be discharged from the scene after their names, addresses, and telephone numbers are recorded. They should be advised to rest and to seek medical care promptly if symptoms develop or recur (see Patient Information Sheet below).

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Emergency Department Management 

Persons exposed only to methyl isocyanate gas pose no risk of secondary contamination to rescuers. Persons whose skin or clothing is contaminated with liquid methyl isocyanate can secondarily contaminate response personnel by direct contact or through off-gassing of vapor. 
Methyl isocyanate is irritating to the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. Acute exposure to high vapor concentrations may cause severe pulmonary edema and injury to the alveolar walls of the lung, severe corneal damage, and death. Survivors of acute exposures may exhibit long-term respiratory and ocular effects. Methyl isocyanate may be a dermal and respiratory sensitizer. 
There is no antidote for methyl isocyanate. Treatment consists of removal of the victim from the contaminated area and support of respiratory and cardiovascular functions. 

Decontamination Area 
Previously decontaminated patients and those exposed only to methyl isocyanate gas who have no skin or eye irritation may be transferred immediately to the Critical Care Area. Others require decontamination as described below. 

Be aware that use of protective equipment by the provider may cause anxiety, particularly in children, resulting in decreased compliance with further management efforts. 

Because of their relatively larger surface area:body weight ratio, children are more vulnerable to toxins absorbed through the skin. Also emergency room personnel should examine children's mouths because of the frequency of hand-to-mouth activity among children. 

ABC Reminders 
Evaluate and support the airways, breathing, and circulation. Provide supplemental oxygen if cardiopulmonary compromise is suspected. Treat cases of respiratory compromise with respiratory support using protocols and techniques available and within the scope of training. Some cases may necessitate procedures such as endotracheal intubation or cricothyrotomy by properly trained and equipped personnel. 

Treat patients who have bronchospasm with oxygen, aerosolized bronchodilators such as albuterol, and/or steroids according to established protocol. 

Children may be more vulnerable to corrosive agents than adults because of the smaller diameter of their airways. 

Consider racemic epinephrine aerosol for children who develop stridor. Dose 0.25-0.75 mL of 2.25% racemic epinephrine solution, repeat every 20 minutes as needed, cautioning for myocardial variability. 

In cases of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, which may be delayed in onset, maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Mechanical ventilation and positive-end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may be required. To minimize barotrauma and other complications, use the lowest amount of PEEP possible while maintaining adequate oxygenation. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema. Keep in mind that the use of steroids to prevent or treat chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema is controversial. 

Patients who are comatose, hypotensive, or are having seizures or cardiac arrhythmias should be treated in the conventional manner. 

Basic Decontamination 
Patients who are able may assist with their own decontamination. 

Because methyl isocyanate can cause burns, ED staff should don chemical-resistant jumpsuits (e.g., of Tyvek or Saranex) or butyl rubber aprons, rubber gloves, and eye protection if the patient's clothing or skin is wet. After the patient has been decontaminated, no special protective clothing or equipment is required for ED personnel. 

Quickly remove contaminated clothing while gently washing the skin with soap and water. Double-bag the contaminated clothing and personal belongings. Handle burned skin with caution. 

Wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water. If pain or injury is evident, continue irrigation while transferring the victim to the Critical Care Area. Use caution to avoid hypothermia when decontaminating children or the elderly. Use blankets or warmers when appropriate. 

Flush exposed or irritated eyes with copious amounts of tepid water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if easily removable without additional trauma to the eye. If pain or injury is evident, continue irrigation while transferring the victim to the Critical Care Area. 

In cases of ingestion, do not induce emesis. If the victim is not symptomatic, consider administering activated charcoal at a dose of 1 g/kg (infant, child, and adult dose). A soda can and straw may be of assistance when offering charcoal to a child. However, the effectiveness of activated charcoal in binding methyl isocyanate has not been demonstrated. 

If the victim is conscious and able to swallow, consider giving 4 to 8 ounces of water. 

Critical Care Area 
Be certain that appropriate decontamination has been carried out.

ABC Reminders 
Evaluate and support the airways, breathing, and circulation as in ABC Reminders above. Establish intravenous access in seriously ill patients. Continuously monitor cardiac rhythm. 

Patients who are comatose, hypotensive, or are having seizures or cardiac arrhythmias should be treated in the conventional manner. 

Inhalation Exposure 
Administer supplemental oxygen by mask to patients who have respiratory complaints. Treat patients who have bronchospasm with aerosolized bronchodilators such as albuterol and/or steroids. 

In cases of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, which may be delayed in onset, maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Monitor arterial blood gases and/or pulse oximetry. If a high FIO2 is required to maintain adequate oxygenation, mechanical ventilation and positive-end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may be required. To minimize barotrauma and other complications, use the lowest amount of PEEP possible while maintaining adequate oxygenation. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema. Keep in mind that the use of steroids to prevent or treat chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema is controversial. Antibiotics should be used as indicated to control infection. Damaged lower respiratory tissue might be more susceptible to infection. 

Skin Exposure 
If concentrated methyl isocyanate is in contact with the skin, chemical burns may result; treat as thermal burns. 

Because of their relatively larger surface area:body weight ratio, children are more vulnerable to toxicants that affect the skin. 

Eye Exposure 
Continue irrigation for at least 15 minutes. Test visual acuity. Examine the eyes for corneal damage and treat appropriately. Immediately consult an ophthalmologist for patients who have suspected severe corneal injuries.

Ingestion 
Do not induce emesis. Consider endoscopy to evaluate the extent of gastrointestinal-tract injury. Extreme throat swelling may require endotracheal intubation or cricothyrotomy. Gastric lavage is useful in certain circumstances to remove caustic material and prepare for endoscopic examination. Consider gastric lavage with a small nasogastric (NG) tube if: (1) a large dose has been ingested; (2) the patient's condition is evaluated within 30 minutes; (3) the patient has oral lesions or persistent esophageal discomfort; and (4) the lavage can be administered within 1 hour of ingestion. Care must be taken when placing the gastric tube because blind gastric-tube placement may further injure the chemically damaged esophagus or stomach. 

Because children do not ingest large amounts of corrosive materials, and because of the risk of perforation from NG intubation, lavage is discouraged in children unless intubation is performed under endoscopic guidance. 

If the victim is not symptomatic, consider administering activated charcoal at a dose of 1 g/kg (infant, child, and adult dose). A soda can and straw may be of assistance when offering charcoal to a child. However, the effectiveness of activated charcoal in binding methyl isocyanate has not been demonstrated. 

Consider giving 4 to 8 ounces of water to alert patients who can swallow, if not done previously. 

Antidotes and Other Treatments 
There is no antidote for methyl isocyanate. Treatment is supportive of respiratory and cardiac functions.

Laboratory Tests 
Routine laboratory studies include chest radiography and pulse oximetry (or ABG measurements).

Disposition and Follow-up 
Consider hospitalizing symptomatic patients who have evidence of respiratory or cardiac distress or significant chemical burns.

Delayed Effects 
Acute exposure to high concentrations of methyl isocyanate may result in delayed onset of pulmonary edema and risk of secondary infection of the lungs or eyes.

Patient Release 
Patients who become totally asymptomatic in terms of pulmonary complaints in a 72-hour observation period are not likely to develop complications. They may be released and advised to rest and to seek medical care promptly if symptoms develop (see the Methyl Isocyanate--Patient Information Sheet below). Cigarette smoking can exacerbate pulmonary injury and should be discouraged for 72 hours after exposure.

Follow-up 
Obtain the name of the patient's primary care physician so that the hospital can send a copy of the ED visit to the patient's doctor. 

Follow-up evaluation of respiratory function should be arranged for severely exposed patients. Patients who have skin or corneal lesions should be reexamined within 24 hours. 

Reporting 
If a work-related incident has occurred, you might be legally required to file a report; contact your state or local health department. 

Other persons might still be at risk in the setting where this incident occurred. If the incident occurred in the workplace, discussing it with company personnel might prevent future incidents. If a public health risk exists, notify your state or local health department or other responsible public agency. When appropriate, inform patients that they may request an evaluation of their workplace from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). See Appendix III for a list of agencies that may be of assistance.


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Methyl Isocyanate Patient Information Sheet 

This handout provides information and follow-up instructions for persons who have been exposed to methyl isocyanate. 

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What is methyl isocyanate? 
Methyl isocyanate is a very flammable liquid that readily evaporates when exposed to air. Methyl isocyanate liquid is colorless with a pungent odor. The primary use of methyl isocyanate is as a chemical intermediate in the production of pesticides. It is also used to produce polyurethane foams and plastics. It is shipped and handled as a flammable and explosive liquid in a special container.

What immediate health effects can be caused by exposure to methyl isocyanate? 
Methyl isocyanate vapors are severely irritating and corrosive to the respiratory tract and eyes. Symptoms may include cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, watery eyes, eye pain (particularly when exposed to light), profuse lid edema, and corneal ulcerations. Respiratory symptoms such as pulmonary edema and bronchial spasms may occur in immediate response to exposure or develop and progress in severity over a period of hours to days post-exposure. Acute exposure to very high concentrations may be quickly fatal due to respiratory failure. Methyl isocyanate is a skin irritant and may cause chemical burns upon dermal contact.

Can methyl isocyanate poisoning be treated? 
There is no antidote for methyl isocyanate, but its effects can be treated. Persons who have inhaled large amounts of methyl isocyanate would most likely need to be hospitalized. Persons who have come into direct skin or eye contact with methyl isocyanate liquid or vapors may need to be treated for chemical burns or serious eye injury.

Are any future health effects likely to occur? 
A single exposure from which a person recovers quickly may not result in long-term health effects. However, some respiratory and eye damage may persist for a long time after exposure to methyl isocyanate. The chemical may also be a dermal and respiratory sensitizer, causing reactive responses upon subsequent exposures.

What tests can be done if a person has been exposed to methyl isocyanate? 
Specific tests for the presence of methyl isocyanate in blood or urine are not generally useful. If a severe exposure has occurred, blood analyses, x-rays, and breathing tests might show whether the lungs have been injured.

Where can more information about methyl isocyanate be found? 
More information about methyl isocyanate can be obtained from your regional poison control center; your state, county, or local health department; the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR); your doctor; or a clinic in your area that specializes in occupational and environmental health. If the exposure happened at work, you might be required to contact your employer and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Ask the person who gave you this form for help locating these telephone numbers.

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Follow-up Instructions 

Keep this page and take it with you to your next appointment. Follow only the instructions checked below. 

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[ ] Call your doctor or the Emergency Department if you develop any unusual signs or symptoms within the next 24 hours, especially: 

eye, nose, throat irritation 
coughing or wheezing 
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
chest pain or tightness 
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain 

[ ] No follow-up appointment is necessary unless you develop any of the symptoms listed above. 

[ ] Call for an appointment with Dr.____ in the practice of ________.

When you call for your appointment, please say that you were treated in the Emergency Department at _________ Hospital by________and were advised to be seen again in ____days.

[ ] Return to the Emergency Department/Clinic on ____ (date) at _____ AM/PM for a follow-up examination.

[ ] Do not perform vigorous physical activities for 1 to 2 days.


[ ] You may resume everyday activities including driving and operating machinery.

[ ] Do not return to work for _____days.

[ ] You may return to work on a limited basis. See instructions below.

[ ] Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke for 72 hours; smoke may worsen the condition of your lungs.

[ ] Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours; alcohol may worsen injury to your stomach or have other effects.

[ ] Avoid taking the following medications: ________________

[ ] You may continue taking the following medication(s) that your doctor(s) prescribed for you: _______________________________ 

[ ] Other instructions: ____________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Provide the Emergency Department with the name and the number of your primary care physician so that the ED can send him or her a record of your emergency department visit. 
You or your physician can get more information on the chemical by contacting: ____________ or _____________, or by checking out the following Internet Web sites: ___________;__________. 

Signature of patient _______________ Date ____________ 

Signature of physician _____________ Date ____________


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Where can I get more information? 

ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns. 

source: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MHMI/mmg182.html 4dec2005
as PDF: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MHMI/mmg182.pdf

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Operations where exposure may occur

The workers at chemical plants synthesizing MIC may be exposed to it. Also, workers at pesticide manufacturing plant who use MIC are candidates for exposure. MIC is used in the synthesis of several common pesticides including carbaryl, carbofuran, methomyl, and aldicarb. In 1975, over 27 million pounds of MIC were produced and over 25,000 workers could have been exposed to MIC. (Refs. 5.5. and 5.6.)

References

5.5. Toxicology Data Bank (Online Computerized Database), National Library of Medicine; DHHS, Rockville, MD.

5.6. "Information Profiles on Potential Occupational Hazards", Hoecker, J.E.; Durkin, P.R.; Hanchett, A.; Davis, L.N.; Meylan, W.M.; Bosch, S.J. Syracuse Research Corporation: New York, 1977.

excerpted from http://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/organic/org054/org054.html 4dec2005

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METHYL ISOCYANATE                                       ICSC: 0004 
Date of Peer Review: November 2003 
International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS)
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

                      Isocyanatomethane 
                      Isocyanic acid, methyl ester 

CAS # 624-83-9 CH3NCO 
RTECS # NQ9450000 Molecular mass: 57.1 
UN # 2480 

EC # 615-001-00-7 

TYPES OF HAZARD / EXPOSURE ACUTE HAZARDS / SYMPTOMS            PREVENTION        FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING 

FIRE 
ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS:  Extremely flammable. Many reactions may cause fire or explosion. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. 
PREVENTION:  NO open flames, NO sparks, and NO smoking. NO contact with water, acid(s), base(s), oxidants. 
FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry sand, powder, carbon dioxide. NO hydrous agents. 

EXPLOSION 
ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS:  Vapour/air mixtures are explosive. 
PREVENTION:  Closed system, ventilation, explosion-proof electrical equipment and lighting. Do NOT use compressed air for filling, discharging, or handling. 
FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING: In case of fire: cool drums, etc., by spraying with water but avoid contact of the substance with water. Combat fire from a sheltered position. 
_______________________________________________________________________
EXPOSURE 

ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS:  --------
PREVENTION:    AVOID ALL CONTACT! AVOID EXPOSURE OF (PREGNANT) WOMEN! 
FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING:   IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR! 

Inhalation 
ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS:  Cough. Laboured breathing. Shortness of breath. Sore throat. Vomiting. 
PREVENTION:  Ventilation, local exhaust, or breathing protection. 
FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING:  Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention. 

Skin 
ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS:  MAY BE ABSORBED! Redness. Pain. Burning sensation. 
PREVENTION:  Protective gloves. Protective clothing. 
FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING:  Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention. 

Eyes 
ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS:  Pain. Redness. Loss of vision. 
PREVENTION:  Face shield, or eye protection in combination with breathing protection. 
FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING:  First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take to a doctor. 

Ingestion 
ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS:  Abdominal pain. Burning sensation. Shock or collapse. 
PREVENTION:  Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. Wash hands before eating. 
FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING:  Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Give plenty of water to drink. Refer for medical attention. 
____________________________________________________________

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL 
Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Ventilation. Remove all ignition sources. Collect leaking liquid in sealable containers. Cautiously neutralize spilled liquid with caustic soda. Absorb remaining liquid in dry sand or inert absorbent and remove to safe place. Chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. 

PACKAGING & LABELLING 
Special material.
EU Classification 
Symbol: F+, T+
R: 12-24/25-26-37/38-41-42/43-63
S: (1/2-)-26-27/28-36/37/39-45-63
UN Classification 
UN Hazard Class: 6.1
UN Subsidiary Risks: 3
UN Pack Group: I 

EMERGENCY RESPONSE SAFE STORAGE 
Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-61S2480 
NFPA Code: H4; F3; R2; W 
Fireproof. See Chemical Dangers. Cool. Dry. Store only if stabilized. 

IPCS 
International 
Programme on 
Chemical Safety Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety and the Commission of the European Communities © IPCS, CEC 2004 

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BACK 


METHYL ISOCYANATE ICSC: 0004 

IMPORTANT DATA 
PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE: 
VOLATILE COLOURLESS LIQUID, WITH PUNGENT ODOUR.

PHYSICAL DANGERS: 
The vapour is heavier than air and may travel along the ground; distant ignition possible. The vapour mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily formed.

CHEMICAL DANGERS: 
The substance will polymerize when pure. The substance may polymerize due to heating and under the influence of metals and catalysts. The substance decomposes on contact with water. The substance decomposes rapidly on contact with acids and bases producing toxic gases (hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide). Attacks some forms of plastic, rubber and coatings.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS: 
TLV: 0.02 ppm, 0.05 mg/m³; (skin); (ACGIH 2003). 
MAK: 0.01 ppm, 0.024 mg/m³; Sh; Peak limitation category: I(1); Pregnancy risk group: D; (DFG 2003).
ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: 
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

INHALATION RISK: 
A harmful contamination of the air can be reached very quickly on evaporation of this substance at 20°C.

EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE: 
The substance is severely irritating to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of the vapour may cause lung oedema (see Notes). Inhalation of may cause asthma-like reactions. Exposure may result in death. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated.

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE: 
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. The substance may have effects on the respiratory tract. Causes toxicity to human reproduction or development.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES 
Boiling point: 39°C
Melting point: -80°C
Relative density (water = 1): 0.96
Solubility in water, g/100 ml at 20°C: reaction
Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 54
Relative vapour density (air = 1): 2
Relative density of the vapour/air-mixture at 20°C (air = 1): 1.44
Flash point: -7°C c.c.
Auto-ignition temperature: 535°C
Explosive limits, vol% in air: 5.3-26

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA 
This substance may be hazardous in the environment; special attention should be given to aquatic organisms. 

NOTES 
Reacts violently with fire extinguishing agents such as water and hydrated agents. Depending on the degree of exposure, periodic medical examination is suggested. The symptoms of lung oedema often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation are therefore essential. Anyone who has shown symptoms of asthma due to this substance should avoid all further contact. The symptoms of asthma often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation are therefore essential. The odour warning when the exposure limit value is exceeded is insufficient. Do NOT take working clothes home. 

Card has been partly updated in October 2004. See sections Occupational Exposure Limits, EU classification, Emergency Response. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
Toxicological Abbreviations
LEGAL NOTICE Neither the CEC nor the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of the CEC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information 

source: http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0004.htm 4dec2005

 

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