PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN THE PRACTICE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Professional ethics refers to the principles and values that govern the behavior of professionals in the exercise of their work. In the case of chemical engineering, these principles and values include social and environmental responsibility, product quality and safety, and innovation and sustainable development in the industrial sector. The chemical engineer therefore has to guarantee the safety and health of workers and the community, ensure the quality and safety of the polymeric materials produced, and promote innovation and sustainable development in this sector. Given the great concern of society about the effects on nature in future development, the Royal Academy of Engineering of Great Britain developed an engineering guide for sustainable development. It states that the main objective is to protect the social sphere that includes human capital, the social considerations it implies, the ecology that corresponds to natural resources and environmental responses, in addition to economic and technical systems. The engineer must try to develop each of these objectives, to the same extent that mutual growth between them is encouraged, achieving sustainable development as the ultimate goal.

Figure 1. The 3 dimensions of Sustainability, are extracted from Engineering for Sustainable Development.

The ethical commitment of a chemical engineer is of vital importance in their daily work. This implies that they must prioritize safety at all times, designing and operating their chemical processes so that they do not represent threats to people and the environment. Furthermore, transparency in communication is essential, they must be honest about the risks associated with their projects, so that society is fully informed. Professional ethics also highlights the need to stay up-to-date, as technology and security best practices constantly evolve. Chemical engineers must continue to learn and adapt to these changes to ensure that their work continues to be safe and beneficial to society and the environment.

Taken from: https://blog.udlap.mx/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ingenieria-quimica-udlap-3.jpg

Speaking now about the implementation of ethical considerations in the field of chemical engineering, specifically focused on the production of nylon and other polymeric compounds, is of great importance to balance industrial advancement with environmental responsibility. Chemical engineers face significant ethical challenges when designing nylon manufacturing processes, as these processes often involve the handling of harmful chemicals and the intensive use of natural resources. In accordance with professional ethical standards, these engineers are expected to constantly pursue strategies that reduce pollution, minimize resource waste, and promote sustainability in all phases of their work. At the same time, they have the responsibility to ensure that products and procedures fully comply with environmental and safety regulations, in order to protect public health and preserve the environment in the long term.

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Ethical consideration regarding greenhouse gas pollution and carbon dioxide generation in the process due to energy consumption is essential in the industry. Professionals in this field face an important ethical dilemma since the production of CO2 in search of energy generation is one of the main sources of climate change and global warming. In accordance with ethical principles, the chemical engineer is expected to actively address this challenge, seeking ways to reduce CO2 emissions, design processes for the collection and purification of these contaminants, and adopt cleaner technologies and practices in industrial processes. This is necessary not only to comply with environmental regulations but also to take proactive responsibility in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and preserving the global well-being of society and the environment.

References

MARTÍNEZ CARO, R. A., HERRERA, J. C. S., CAROCA, F. J. G., Connelly, S., Johnson, J. F., Thiel, C. E., ... & Devenport, L. D. (2012). DILEMAS ÉTICOS EN LA INGENIERÍA QUÍMICA. Science and Engineering Ethics, 19(1).

LA INGENIERÍA QUÍMICA y LA ÉTICA PROFESIONAL. (s. f.). Scribd. https://es.scribd.com/document/459763274/LA-INGENIERIA-QUIMICA-Y-LA-ETICA-PROFESIONAL