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Poison present

Greenpeace

Greenpeace and Bhopal disaster survivors transported toxic waste from the Bhopal disaster site to Dow Chemical Co's largest European operation, Dow Benelux, in the Dutch town of Terneuzen. About 20 activists were arrested after they unloaded 250 kg of the waste contained in seven barrels.

The waste was abandoned in Bhopal after the release of poisonous gas in 1984. The toxic refuse returned is a minuscule part of the hundreds of tons strewn around the deserted Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal. Dow Chemicals acquired Union Carbide in February 2001.

In November, activists from Greenpeace and the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal were arrested when they attempted to clean up the toxic waste. In December, the protesters returned samples of contaminated soil and water from around the plant to Dow's Mumbai offices. Dow is now suing the activists for loss of working time allegedly caused by this action.

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