Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
knowledge of the research subjects. Ethical responsibilities in this area include, but
are not restricted to, the following:
1. Trying to identify possible causes of mental distress and eliminating them where
possible.
2. Where this is not possible, evaluating the ethics of continuing with the research,
taking into account the likelihood and probable severity of any possible mental
distress and the probable benefi ts of the research, amongst other factors.
3. Providing appropriate support for participants.
4. Being alert to possible sources of stress and anxiety and trying to reduce them.
5. Being alert to subjects' feelings and reactions and providing breaks or terminat-
ing sessions if necessary.
4.7
The Role of Good Design
Good design practice can have an important role in reducing the negative environ-
mental and social impacts of technology and promoting social inclusion. However,
it should not be considered a universal panacea and needs to take place in a political
and social context which is committed to reducing consumption, equality of oppor-
tunities, equal access to resources and social inclusion.
Engineering design involves the development of a system, component or process
to meet particular criteria. Decisions made at the design stage will largely determine
product performance, including its environmental and social impacts, throughout the
lifecycle and which social groups, including disabled people, are able to use the prod-
uct. Up to 85% of costs are committed by the end of the preliminary design stages
(Fabrycky
1987
). Design choices, such as the choice of materials for a given product,
how they are processed and whether coatings and labels are applied to plastics, will
also have signifi cant effects later in the product life on, for instance, waste production
in the manufacturing process and the viability of recycling at end of life.
Changes introduced after the design stage will generally give rise to additional
costs, be more technically complicated and may not result in satisfactory perfor-
mance. For instance, many of the underground stations in Glasgow, Scotland, are
not accessible to wheelchair users. If wheelchair accessibility had been considered
at the original design stage, it could have easily been incorporated. However, mak-
ing the existing stations accessible to wheelchair users is going to be technically
more complicated and probably have high costs.
Both sustainable design and design for all are of vital importance in designing
products and services which meet real rather than artifi cially created needs and are
accessible to as many people as possible while having minimal environmental and
social impacts. It is therefore fortunate that both sustainable design and design for
all can also have economic benefi ts. For instance, environmentally friendly design
generally results in reduced material and energy consumption and a reduction in
waste, leading to cost savings for materials and waste disposal, including any
associated permits. There may also be improvements in employee morale and the
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