Effects of Exposure of Parents to Toxic Gases in Bhopal on the Offspring

Background Exposure to methyl isocyanate and other toxic gases in Bhopal, India, on December 3, 1984 resulted in thousands of acute deaths, pregnancy loss and long-term effects. Methods From 1985 to 2007, we conducted successive surveys of vital status and health to determine whether the exposure of parents to toxic gases in the Bhopal incident affected the 5-year survival and anthropometric variables of their offspring. Results Initial 5-year mortality of offspring of exposed parents was very high. Male but not female offspring who were exposed to gases in utero or who were born to exposed parents were stunted in growth until puberty, which was followed by a period of accelerated growth. Results also suggest a post-puberty effect on head circumference of females exposed to gases in utero. Conclusion Exposure of pregnant women to toxic gases in Bhopal in 1984 resulted in high pregnancy loss, increased first 5-year mortality and delayed development of male progeny. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:836–841, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.