Under "The Fundamental Cannons" in the Code of Ethics of Engineers, the first statement declares:
"Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their
professional duties." Therefore, a plant environmental engineer who has knowledge of a new process
which will produce a highly toxic waste and put citizens at risk has first and foremost, the obligation to
protect the public. Also, the code states, "Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and
truthful manner." Writing to the city newspaper should be an absolutely last resort, after attempts to have
the company deal with the matter correctly have failed. Under these conditions the plant engineer is
putting his or her views out into the public forum in an objective manner and therefore, this action would
appear to be ethical.
[Note: An excellent 24 minute video tape is available to assist faculty with this type of discussion. The
title is Gilbane Gold. It is produced by the National Institute for Engineering Ethics (NSPE), 1420 King
Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (Phone:703-684-2840)]