Bhopal disaster (1984) — identify the toxic gas Which “killer gas” released during the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy caused the mass casualties?

Introduction / Context:
The Bhopal disaster is one of the most tragic industrial accidents in history. Recognizing the chemical responsible is essential for learning from process safety failures, toxicology, and emergency response planning.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The incident occurred in 1984 at a pesticide plant.
• A highly toxic intermediate used in carbamate pesticide manufacture was released.
• We focus on identifying the specific gas.

Concept / Approach:
Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is a volatile, highly toxic compound causing severe irritation of eyes, respiratory tract, and pulmonary edema. A runaway reaction and water ingress led to rapid temperature/pressure rise in a storage tank and a massive MIC release that spread over the surrounding city at night.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical records, court documents, and safety case studies consistently list methyl isocyanate as the released chemical during the incident.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing MIC with phosgene because both are highly toxic; however, MIC is the correct compound for Bhopal.

Final Answer:
methyl isocyanate (MIC)