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.