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Assignment Case Study

The document outlines an individual assignment for a case study on chemical engineering professional ethics, prepared by Bedilu B. It requires students to analyze real-world ethical dilemmas faced by chemical engineers, focusing on issues such as environmental pollution and workplace safety violations, while proposing ethical solutions. The assignment includes detailed instructions on case selection, analysis, ethical principles, and deliverables, along with evaluation criteria and suggested readings.

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4 views

Assignment Case Study

The document outlines an individual assignment for a case study on chemical engineering professional ethics, prepared by Bedilu B. It requires students to analyze real-world ethical dilemmas faced by chemical engineers, focusing on issues such as environmental pollution and workplace safety violations, while proposing ethical solutions. The assignment includes detailed instructions on case selection, analysis, ethical principles, and deliverables, along with evaluation criteria and suggested readings.

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ዮሐቶኤል
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Debre Berhan university

College of Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering Professional Ethics Individual Assignment I

Prepared by Bedilu B.

Submission Date 19/12/2024

Assignment: Case Study on Chemical Engineering Professional Ethics

Objective:

To explore real-world ethical dilemmas faced by chemical engineers, analyze the challenges,
and propose ethical solutions while understanding the importance of professional ethics in
chemical engineering.

Assignment Instructions

1. Choose a Real-World Case Study:

Select one real-world case involving ethical issues in chemical engineering. The case can
focus on areas such as:

- Environmental pollution (e.g., chemical spills, emissions).

- Workplace safety violations (e.g., explosions, hazardous conditions).

- Product safety concerns (e.g., defective chemical products).

- Misuse of resources or intellectual property.

- Regulatory non-compliance.

Examples:

- Bhopal Gas Tragedy (India, 1984).


- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (Gulf of Mexico, 2010).

- Flint Water Crisis (USA, 2014).

- DuPont C8 Teflon Contamination Case.

2. Case Study Analysis:

In your analysis, address the following:

 Background: Describe the case, including the company/individuals involved, location,


timeline, and key events.
 Ethical Dilemma: Identify the specific ethical challenges faced by the chemical
engineers or organizations involved.
 Stakeholders: List the key stakeholders (e.g., employees, local community,
government, environment).
 Factors Influencing Responsibility: Discuss factors affecting moral and professional
responsibility, such as intent, awareness, and freedom of choice.
 Consequences: Analyze the short- and long-term consequences of the decisions made
(economic, environmental, societal, and legal impacts).

3. Ethical Principles and Codes:

 Explain which ethical principles or codes of conduct (e.g., AIChE Code of Ethics)
were violated or upheld.
 Propose how these principles could guide better decision-making.

4. Propose a Solution:

Suggest an alternative course of action that could have been taken to address the ethical
dilemma. Justify your solution with ethical reasoning.

5. Lessons Learned:

 Discuss the broader lessons for chemical engineers and professionals from this case
study.
 Highlight the importance of professional ethics in preventing similar issues in the
future.

Assignment Deliverables
 A written report (6-8 pages) addressing all the points above.
 Include references to credible sources (articles, reports, and ethical guidelines).

Evaluation Criteria

1. Depth of Analysis:
 Thorough understanding of the case and ethical issues.
 Clear identification of dilemmas, stakeholders, and consequences.

2. Application of Ethical Principles:

 Use of relevant ethical codes and principles in the analysis.

3. Creativity and Feasibility of Solutions:

 Innovative yet practical solutions proposed for the case.

4. Clarity and Organization:

 Logical structure, coherence, and quality of writing.

5. Research and References:

 Use of credible sources and proper citation of references.

Suggested Reading and Resources

- AIChE Code of Ethics.

- Articles and reports on major chemical engineering disasters.

- Textbooks on engineering ethics (e.g., *Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases* by Charles
E. Harris Jr.).
Here are some suggested case study titles that focus on ethical or moral problems caused by
chemical engineers, aligning with a Chemical Engineering Professional Ethics course:

1. "The Bhopal Gas Tragedy: An Ethical Analysis of Negligence and Corporate Responsibility"

2. "Flint Water Crisis: The Role of Chemical Engineering in Public Health Failures"

3. "Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Ethical Oversights in Safety and Risk Management"

4. "The Dupont C8 Contamination Case: Environmental and Ethical Implications of Teflon


Production"

5. "Love Canal Disaster: A Chemical Engineer’s Responsibility in Waste Disposal Practices"

6. "Challenging Safety Standards: The Texas City Refinery Explosion and Ethical Failures"

7. "Chernobyl Disaster: Ethical Responsibilities in Process Design and Safety Protocols"

8. "Union Carbide’s Sevin Plant Incident in Bhopal: Lessons on Accountability and


Transparency"

9. "Environmental and Ethical Challenges in PFAS Pollution: The Forever Chemicals Debate"

10. "Chemical Plant Explosions in Beirut: Analyzing Negligence in Ammonium Nitrate


Storage"

11. "The VW Emissions Scandal: Ethical Issues in Chemical Engineering for Environmental
Testing"

12. "Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: Ethical Failures in Chemical Engineering and Environmental
Impact"

13. "Minamata Disease in Japan: Ethical Oversights in Mercury Pollution Management"

14. "Chevron Richmond Refinery Fire: Ethical Challenges in Maintenance and Community
Safety"

15. "3M and PFOA Contamination: An Ethical Evaluation of Corporate and Chemical
Engineering Practices"

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