National Pollution Control Day: Know the History and its Connection with Bhopal Gas Tragedy 1984

National Pollution Control Day: National Pollution Control Day is observed every year on 2 December to commemorate the lives of people who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy that occurred on 2 December 1984. The day raises awareness about pollution and its impact on our daily lives. Below are some facts, significance and more information about this day:

What was the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy was a chemical leak from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. This horrific incident occurred on 2 December 1984, when the city turned into a gas chamber immediately after the leak of toxic methyl isocyanate, killing around 15,000 to 20,000 people. Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked and spread into the atmosphere.

After the incident, five lakh people in the city suffered from several health problems, including respiratory problems, blindness, reproductive health issues and more. 40 years have passed, but the survivors continue to experience reproductive health problems and nervous system disease.

This day calls us to take action to combat pollution. It commemorates the Bhopal gas tragedy and promotes awareness about environmental pollution. The theme of National Pollution Day in the year 2024 is Green Earth, Clean Air: A Effort towards Sustainable Living.”.

This day is celebrated nationwide to raise awareness by educating people about various types of pollution and the need for strict rules and regulations for safety measures for industries and factories.

Pollution, a Big Impact:

Pollution is a serious problem worldwide. There are five primary categories of pollution: Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, and Noise pollution. Light and thermal pollution are also recognized as distinct forms of pollution.

The United Nations has described air pollution as the world’s biggest environmental risk. It is the world’s fourth deadliest killer, causing 8.9 million deaths every year. That’s why we celebrate National Pollution Control Day as National Pollution Day.

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