The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the governmental agency responsible for administration of laws to control and or reduce pollution of air, water, and land systems. When an EPA law is broken or not followed to the fullest extent, how accountable should the law breaker be in being held responsible for their actions? Can the damage ever be reversed, or completely fixed? In this case scenario a very conscientious manufacturing company (Alumina) violated an EPA regulation. Although the violation was corrected and all regulations complied with there after, an accusation of personal damage to a human life took place because of the negligence. The ethical dilemma becomes, can a monetary value be placed on a human’s life, and who determines that value? What is this truly saying for us as a society, are businesses that important that human sacrifices are willing to be made in order to increase profit?
This simulation took several approaching values to rectify the problem; key facts are listed along with legal issues and regulations, on how the company came to the final determination on resolving their accusation.
Key Facts, Regulations and Legal Issues
A routine EPA compliance evaluation at Alumina Inc., found violation of environmental discharge five years ago, (PAH concentrations was above prescribed limit). Clean up immediately took place, Alumina complied promptly with EPA, and subsequent EPA audit reported violation corrected (University of Phoenix, 2008).
EPA headquarters and regions work with other federal agencies, state and local agencies, and industry to prevent accidents, as well as to maintain superior response capabilities (Emergency Management). Fixing a problem after the damage has been done does not excuse the fact or forgive the damag ...