Establishing the National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, India.

Problem: Multiple environmental health issues resulting from pollution and climate change threaten public health in India.

Approach: The Government of India recognized the need for a permanent environmental health research institute; the Indian Council of Medical Research therefore established the National Institute for Research in Environmental Health in Bhopal in 2010. Scientists at the institute assessed the multiple long-term health effects of exposure to methyl isocyanate, and are now conducting research on a wide array of locally relevant environmental health issues.

Local Setting: The Union Carbide India Limited pesticide factory in Bhopal was the site of a methyl isocyanate gas leak in 1984, which affected half a million people. The Indian Council of Medical Research set up a coordinating unit in the immediate aftermath, which was upgraded to the Bhopal Gas Disaster Research Centre in 1986 and then the Centre for Rehabilitation Studies in 1995.

Relevant Changes: Scientists at the institute undertake environmental monitoring and health risk assessment studies among communities located near polluted areas, such as industrial areas. They are also assessing the training needs of practising physicians, with the aim of developing a curated curriculum to meet the deficiencies in environmental health education in the country.

Lessons Learnt: Environmental legislation was introduced in the wake of the disaster and a research institute in environmental health was established. Researchers at the institute have recognized the importance of engaging communities in environmental health research, as well as knowledge dissemination to relevant stakeholders.