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The document discusses the "Aberdeen 3" case involving 3 chemical engineers at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland who were convicted of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act from 1983-1986. Specifically, it summarizes that the engineers disregarded safety and improperly stored and disposed of chemicals, resulting in hazardous chemicals leaking into the surrounding environment. It provides background on the Aberdeen Proving Ground, details of the chemical leaks and environmental damage, and violations found during inspections. It also discusses the engineers' defense, their conviction, and how the incident violated engineering ethics principles.
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New microsoft office power point presentation
- 1. ABERDEEN 3 ABDULLAH KAMAL FAIZAN ASHRAF
- 2. The Aberdeen Proving Ground
- 3. What is Aberdeen? The Aberdeen Proving Ground • U.S. army facility located in Aberdeen, Maryland • Established October 20th,1917 (6 months after the U.S. enter WW1) – Oldest active proving ground “proving ground” • Military reservation where weapons and other military technology are tested
- 4. Resource Conservation & Recovery Act • Passed by Congress in 1976 (9 years before incident) • Implemented criminal fines for violations of the open dumping or hazardous waste disposal guidelines.
- 5. The “Aberdeen 3” Case • Disregard for safety, storage, and disposal of chemicals by 3 chemical engineers that resulted in the discharge of hazardous chemicals into the public environments surround the Aberdeen Proving Grounds from 1983-1986.
- 6. September 17th , 1985 Sulfur Acid tank leaks 200 gallons into nearby river. March 19th , 1986 pilot plant shutdown Federal investigation of pilot plant begins • Investigators discovered chemical retaining dikes were corroded and leaking chemicals into the ground.
- 7. The Three engineers William Dee • Developed binary chemical weapons and led the chemical weapons developmental team. Robert Lentz • In charge of developing processes used to manufacture chemical weapons. Carl Gepp • Manager at pilot plant.
- 8. Previous Inspection Violations • Flammable and cancer-causing substances left in the open • Chemicals that become lethal if mixed kept in the same room • Leaking drums of toxic substances • Numerous drums of chemicals misplaced and unlabeled • Smashed chemical drums and spilled wastes
- 9. Engineers defense in trials • Didn't knowingly commit crime • Federal employee immunity • Hazardous materials are not technically waste • Environmental responsibility is not in job description
- 10. Conviction • Each charged of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) • Faced up to 15 years in prison & $750,000 in fines • Sentenced to 3 years probation & 1000 hours community service
- 11. Violation of Engineering Ethics • Always act with care and competence o Misplaced ,unlabeled or poorly contained chemicals. • Keep their knowledge and skills up to date and assist the development of engineering skills o Engineers claimed no knowledge of RCRA
- 12. • Identify and evaluate and where possible quantify risks o Poor storage of carcinogenic and volatile chemicals o Roof collapse o Untrained workers handling hazardous chemicals • Ensure that all work is lawful and justified o Illegal handling of hazardous waste violation of RCRA
- 13. • Minimize and justify any adverse effects on society or natural environment for their own and succeeding generations o River leakages o Hazardous chemicals exposed to environment • Hold paramount the health and safety of others o Untrained workers handling hazardous chemicals o Carcinogenic chemicals poorly stored
- 14. Virtue ethics • The virtuous engineer would • Request cleanup funds • Maintain safe work environment • Accept fault of endangering public
- 15. How could this incident have been avoided? • Request for Army Clean-Up Funds following initial violations. • Proper disposal treatment and storage of chemicals. • Better communication with those physically responsible for handling the chemicals. • Obligation to let superiors know that the chemicals were not being handled properly.
- 16. Proposed solution • Legislate laws to force army to be more involved in maintaining safety within APG and other plants • US government should periodically investigate the facilities • Proper employee training or integrate detailed hiring qualification system
- 17. • Take preventative measure to avoid issues of negligence • There should be more emphasis on integration of engineering ethics on engineers curriculum so they can learn what is moral autonomy and use it on there professional life's.