LANSING – State Representative Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens) recently introduced a resolution in the Michigan House of Representatives calling on Dow Chemical Company to clean up environmental contamination at its shuttered chemical plant in Bhopal, India.
"The toxic chemicals that have been mismanaged for years still are causing health problems for residents and continue to contaminate surrounding natural resources even after the plant closure in 1986," Miller said. "It is unacceptable that even after countless deaths more people are getting sick. It's time for Dow to step up and take responsibility."
On Dec. 3, 1984, 42 tons of highly toxic gases were released from Union Carbide India Limited chemical plant. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people died because of the leak; and between 100,000 and 200,000 people suffered permanent injuries from exposure to these toxins.
Dow Chemical Company bought Union Carbide in 2001 for more than $10 billion. While Dow claims it is not liable for the cleanup because of prior ownership changes, members of U.S. Congress, and humanitarian groups such as Amnesty International argue that as the parent company of Union Carbide, Dow Chemical retains liability.
"Union Carbide profited from the plant in Bhopal and failed to adequately clean up the site, leaving an environmental disaster behind," Miller said. "No one else should be forced to suffer from the negligence of a company nearly 25 years ago."