Dow Chemicals Needs to Clean Up Its Act in Bhopal The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) is trying to clean up its image while it should really be cleaning up its act in Bhopal. Dow is sponsoring Dow Live Earth Run for Water – a 6 km run on April 18, in different cities around the world, to start a movement to address the water crisis. But this flies in the face of what happened in Bhopal where tens of thousands of people are still suffering the consequences of the catastrophic 1984 gas leak. Union Carbide, whose subsidiary owned the pesticide plant at the time of the explosion, walked away from Bhopal, without decontaminating the site properly. Union Carbide is today wholly owned by Dow. Shortly before midnight, on 2 December 1984, thousands of tonnes of deadly chemicals leaked from Union Carbide’s pesticide plant in Bhopal. Nearly half a million people were exposed. Between 7,000 and 10,000 people died in the immediate aftermath and a further 15,000 people over the next 20 years. Dow should contribute to the clean-up After 25 years, the Indian government is finally carrying out a full scientific assessment of the depth and spread of the contamination, as required by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Once the assessment is complete, Dow should make a substantial contribution towards the clean up operation, as previously requested by the Indian government. No company can be allowed to evade responsibility for the adverse impacts of its operations. Dow must cooperate with the Indian government to address the outstanding liability of Union Carbide and ensure the site and surrounding areas are fully decontaminated. If Dow cares so much about water why is it running away from Bhopal? Put pressure on Dow to clean up its act in Bhopal by taking action here. Thanks for your continued support and commitment to human rights. Online Communities Team Alaphia, Buddha, Jennifer and Jeremy