Suspected Hazardous Waste

CE 401

Alex is an engineering student employed for the summer by a consulting environmental-engineering firm. R. J., the engineer who supervises Alex, directs Alex to sample the contents of drums located on the property of a client. From the look and smell of the drums, Alex concludes that analysis of the sample will show hazardous waste in the drums. Alex knows that if the material contains hazardous waste, there are legal requirements for the transport and disposal of the drums, and that federal and state authorities must be notified. Alex informs R. J. of the likely contents of the samples and asks what to do next. R. J. instructs him to report only that samples have been taken, and not to do the analysis. Since the client does other business with the firm, R. J. proposes to tell the client where the drums are located and that they contain questionable material, and to suggest that they be removed.

QUESTIONS:

(1) Did R. J. fulfill an engineer's professional responsibilities by informing the client only of the presence of the drums and withholding more specific information on their contents?

(2) Was there anything more that Alex could have done as a student and a summer hire?

(3) It is much more expensive to dispose of hazardous waste than conventional waste. Many states have laws requiring environmental engineers to report any evidence of a "release" of hazardous materials, where a release is material in other than its intended placement for use and storage. How is R.J. attempting to benefit the client? How does R.J.'s action endanger the client?

DEFINITIONS:

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

A paradigm case of the moral responsibility that arises from the special knowledge that one possesses. It is mastery of a special body of advanced knowledge, particularly knowledge which bears directly on the well-being of others, that demarcates a profession. As custodians of special knowledge which bears on human well-being, professionals are constrained by special moral responsibilities; that is, moral requirements to apply their knowledge in ways that benefit the rest of the society.