Periodic inspections of Aberdeen, a U.S. Army facility where chemical weapons are developed, between 1983 and 1986 revealed serious problems at the facility. These problems included flammable and cancer-causing substances left in the open, chemicals that become lethal if mixed kept in the same room, leaking drums of toxic substances, misplaced, unlabeled or poorly contained chemicals, and spilled and broken containers of chemicals. The three engineers that managed the facility were chemical weapons experts and they maintained that their job descriptions did not include responsibility for specific environmental rules. Should these engineers be held responsible for the Aberdeen facility not complying with environmental regulations?
Texas A&M Engineering Ethics Website (http://ethics.tamu.edu)
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Weisskoph, S. "The Aberdeen Mess", Washington Post Magazine, January 15, 1989.