People's Democracy

Criminal History of UCC

IN 1930, in America’s state of West Virginia, Union Carbide Corporation was digging a four mile tunnel, during which silica stones were dug. Due to inhalation of the soft silica dust, thousands of workers were affected while 476 workers died and 1,500 became handicapped for life.

In 1978, in the UCC’s Eveready battery industry in Simongis, Indonesia, it was found out that out of the 750 workers, 402 developed serious kidney problems. A company doctor revealed this information. Mercury, used for manufacturing the batteries is very dangerous and was traced as the cause for the damage to the kidneys. A very small amount can cause death due to brain, kidney and lungs damage. The UCC used all means to suppress the facts. The doctor had to resign.

In India, the UCC has six Eveready battery plants. The company is using a violent advertisement of “Give Me Red”, which features drops of blood and black cat in the background. Due to the American role in First World War, the company took interest in making poisonous gases and hazardous chemicals. Since 1960, the UCC has been associated in US with war research and has been running many atomic energy centres.