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Rep. Jayapal leads effort to establish National Chemical Disaster Awareness Day
The resolution commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster, the deadliest chemical accident in history, and raises awareness of the ongoing threat posed by chemical disasters in the United States and abroad.
Rep. Jayapal / Image- Wikipedia
Indian American Representative Pramila Jayapal has introduced a bicameral resolution, alongside Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Rashida Tlaib, to designate Dec. 3 as National Chemical Disaster Awareness Day in the United States.
The resolution commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster, the deadliest chemical accident in history, and raises awareness of the ongoing threat posed by chemical disasters in the United States and abroad.
Jayapal, representing Washington's 7th congressional district, emphasized the human cost and corporate negligence that characterized the Bhopal tragedy. “The Bhopal disaster was one of the worst environmental and industrial catastrophes in human history, killing thousands and causing permanent injuries in hundreds of thousands more,” said Jayapal.
This week, we mark 40 years since the Bhopal disaster — one of the worst industrial and environmental catastrophes in human history. The chemical accident killed thousands and caused permanent injuries in hundreds of thousands more. https://t.co/UhBtUFehhh
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) December 3, 2024
“It remains incredibly important to hold Union Carbide Corporation – now a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical Company – accountable for their role in this incident and ensure that all victims and their families are properly compensated and cared for,” she asserted.
Underscoring the broader issue of corporate accountability, the Congresswoman said, “Far too often, large corporations are able to easily escape accountability for their wrongdoings, especially when those affected are poor and underserved communities. I’m proud to lead my colleagues in standing alongside these communities to demand justice, raise awareness, and fight to right these wrongs while preventing similar incidents from happening again.”
The resolution reflects on the prevalence of chemical disasters in the U.S., noting that in 2023 alone, such incidents occurred almost daily, including the high-profile train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Data from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board from 2021 to 2024 recorded hundreds of accidental releases, with significant injuries, fatalities, and property damage.
Senator Merkley, chair of the Senate subcommittee on environmental justice, highlighted the urgency of action. “Four decades after the Bhopal disaster, the need for stronger laws to prevent chemical disasters and protect our communities and workers remains urgent,” he said.
Representative Rashida Tlaib echoed these sentiments, stating, “From Detroit to Bhopal, we have the right to breathe clean air. Dow Chemical must compensate the survivors of Bhopal for the countless deaths, sickness, and environmental destruction caused by corporate greed.”
The resolution also received praise from Rachna Dhingra, international coordinator for the international campaign for justice in Bhopal, who said, “By designating December 3rd as National Chemical Disaster Awareness Day, the U.S. Congress sends a powerful message to chemical manufacturers: ‘We will remember, and you will be held accountable.’”
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