Business Notes Manufacturing

After its plant in Bhopal, India, leaked deadly methyl isocyanate in December and killed at least 1,400 people, Union Carbide stopped making the pesticide ingredient at its facility in Institute, W. Va. Last week officials of the U.S. company announced that they expect to resume production of the toxic chemical at the Institute plant by April 1. Before that time, Union Carbide will have completed its investigation of the Bhopal disaster.

The methyl isocyanate unit, which employs about 40 of the 3,000 workers at the West Virginia plant, will reopen with a number of new protection features. Among the improvements: a $175,000 computer system to provide instant notification of leaks and pressure changes. Company investigators are also examining each of the unit's existing safety systems. Governor Arch Moore praised Union Carbide's restart announcement as welcome news. Institute townspeople were pleased too. Said Charles White, 60, a longtime resident: "MIC is one of the bread-and-butter products for Union Carbide. I think they need that product, and I feel that the accident at Bhopal has given them more insight into safety measures."