From Sathyu’s Introduction to Bhopal for Young People
Samples of groundwater have been tested by both government officials and non government organisations such as Greenpeace and found to contain high levels of chemicals that cause cancers and birth defects and damage the brain, lung, liver, kidneys and other organs. In fact the breastmilk of mothers living in communities close to Union Carbide’s abandoned factory has been found to contain dangerous chemicals in high concentrations. Because of the chemicals in their mother’s bodies, many children are born with cleft lips and missing palates. Many are born with damaged brains and need constant looking after. Thousands of people who have drunk the poisoned water for 15 years or longer have rashes and sores on their skins, suffer stomachache and giddiness and breathing problems and quite a few have cancers.
