1-5. Why is it necessary to include a section on ethics in this book? What are some of the
ethical considerations regarding decisions engineers have to make when working in the hazardous
waste management field? Give examples.
It is not necessary! Most books on hazardous waste do not deal with ethics. However, the authors of this
book felt that this was an extremely important topic.
Some of the ethical considerations that engineers must include in their decisions can be seen from the
Code of Ethics. [p.30] Perhaps most important here is the first of the Fundamental Canons:
"Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their
professional duties"
"Paramount" has been interpreted to mean that concern for public health is more important than concerns
about one's career, employer or client! It should be noted that these conflicts rarely arise in the hazardous
waste field because no rational individual would consider harming someone's health in the interests of
one's career, employer or client.