Ethical & Environmental Issues

7/22/2019 Ethical & Environmental Issues

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Engineering ethics:

Engineering ethics is the field of study that focuses on the ethical aspects of the actions and decisions

of engineers, both individually and collectively. A rather broad range of (ethical) issues are discussed

in engineering ethics: professional codes of conduct, whistle-blowing, dealing with safety and risks,

liability issues, conflicts of interests, multinational corporations and privacy.

International code of ethics:Codes of ethics are the pillars which any professional project stands on. If any code of ethics was

violated, then the project will be crucially impacted. This shows the importance of considering

codes of ethics and accommodating them with any engineering project. Engineering projects

including designing projects should focus on the ethical aspects of all the actions and decisions.

These aspects are provided in well known canons by several organizations such as:

The National Society of Professional Engineer (NSPE) American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

All of these organizations provide a list of common fundamentals to be followed toward

achieving the highest standards of honesty and integrity. The following points show the related

code of ethics to machine design projects.

Ethical Issues Related to Gliders:

Gliders ware done to enhance humans life and make life easier where it can be used as a

transportation mean to transport people and equipment, which meet the first code of ethics

according to ASME codes of ethics which states that engineers should use their knowledge


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and skill for the enhancement of human welfare. This glider was designed by mechanical

engineers in the area of their knowledge using softwares and calculations that they are familiar

with to make sure that the glider is safe to use since it is dealing with human beings, and this is

whats mentioned in the first and second fundamental canon: Engineers shall hold paramount

the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties,

Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence...etc.. Moreover, taking

the environmental issues into consideration as stated in the eighth canon Engineers shall

consider environmental impact and sustainable development in the performance of their

professional duties. Regarding this issue, the glider does not need any fuel to run since it

doesnt have a motor or an engine, where it only uses the dynamic reaction of the air against its

lifting surfaces. So it has no negative impact on the environment.

Since we are Mechanical engineering students , we have chosen Glider and Glider Launcher to

be our mini-project which is strongly related to our major so according to NSPE (National

Society of Professional Engineers) its stated that under II. Rules of Practice II.2. Engineers

shall perform services only in the areas of their competence. Also, II.2.1 Engineers shall

undertake assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the specific technical

fields involved.

In addition , the goal was achieved using systematic steps that are stated earlier in the report ,

while testing the selected dimensions was done using Excel sheet ,3 to 4 trial and errors were

done to get the desired dimensions , all these were mentioned in details earlier, as NSPE

mentions II.3.Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

II.3.1.Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or

testimony.

Serving public in the top priority of engineering design , as its stated in the NSPE codes under

III. Professional Obligations III.2.Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public

interest. III.2.1. Engineers are encouraged to participate in civic affairs; career guidance foryouths; and work for the advancement of the safety, health, and well-being of their community.

Moreover , designing a Glider in a professional way that will spread the idea of how

Engineering is important in our life , especially a Glider has benefits plus has no negative impact

on the environment III.2.3.Engineers are encouraged to extend public knowledge and

appreciation of engineering and its achievements. III.2.4. Engineers are encouraged to adhere


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to the principles of sustainable development in order to protect the environment for future

generations.

http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics

Environmental Issues Related to Gliders:Engineering projects must consider all the related issues. The other issues which concern the

glider mini project are the environmental issues. As mentioned previously, the project focused on

designing and builds a glider and its launcher which does not need a propulsion system to fly

like a motor or propeller. The related environmental issues of this project are summarized into

these two facts:

1. This glider does not requires need a propulsion system to fly:The eighth canon of the engineering principles states Engineers shall consider environmental

impact and sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties. Regarding

this issue, the glider does not need any fuel to run since it doesnt have a motor or an engine,

where it only uses the dynamic reaction of the air against its lifting surfaces. So it has no

negative impact on the environment. As known, using the fuel has a huge impact on the

environment. Consumption of fuel resources leads to global warming and climate change. As a

result, recent projects tend to use different sources of energy. However, this project avoids using

any source of harmful energy, so it's an environmentally friendly for this point.
http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethicshttp://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethicshttp://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics


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2. The glider is made of foam:Foam material has harm effects of the environment. This project is made fully of the foam

material. However, it has a huge negative impact of the environment based on these following

facts:

a. The most important environmental health concern of using the foam is the dangerassociated with Styrene which is the basis of constructing the foam material. It's used in

the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and resins. Serious health effects such as irritation of

the skin and eyes caused by the Styrene. Styrene is classified as a possible human

carcinogen by the EPA and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

b. It pollutes the air and creates large amounts of liquid and solid waste when making thefoam.

c. It leaches out some toxic chemicals into the food that they contain.d. These products are made with petroleum, a non-sustainable and heavily polluting

resource.

Based on the previous effects of the foam, we conclude that it is harmful to the environment

and health of the human being. As a result, the material should be replaced to another more

environmentally friendly material.

http://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-styrofoam.html
http://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-styrofoam.htmlhttp://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-styrofoam.htmlhttp://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-styrofoam.html

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Ethical & Environmental Issues