Analysis of Environmental Issues: A Civil Action Assignment

This homework assignment analyzes the environmental issues presented in the case 'A Civil Action,' which involves a lawsuit concerning the contamination of drinking water in Woburn, MA, with Trichloroethylene (TCE). The assignment addresses the environmental issue, the uses and hazards of TCE, and its remediation in groundwater. It explores how TCE ended up in the drinking water and outlines job descriptions for scientists and engineers involved in the case. Furthermore, it delves into the responsibilities of lawyers defending both the companies and representing the affected families. The assignment also considers the decision-making process for taking the case, the current status of the EPA's Superfund site, and the eventual outcome of the environmental case. The assignment concludes with the current status of Jan Schlictmann, the lawyer in the case, and a related environmental lawsuit.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Name of Student
Institution Affiliation

QUESTION 1
Environmental issue in A Civil Action
This is the lawsuit legal responsibility that focuses on the protection of the environment from
irresponsible disposal and dumping of chemicals and chemical waste products directly into the
ecosystem without first treating the wastes (Harr, 2011). The chemicals dumped irresponsible
alters the normal and natural working systems of the environment and as a result may have
impacts on both the living organisms and human beings.
QUESTION 2
Trichloroethylene
Uses of Trichloroethylene
This is a clear non-flammable volatile liquid that is produced basically for commercial purposes.
Its main uses includes:
Production of hydrocarbon chemicals which serve as lubricants and also raw materials for the
manufacturing of plastics and fibres.
Acts as a solvent for removing grease out of e metals and metal parts.
Hazardousness of Trichloroethylene
It brings about negative impacts on the health of both human beings and animals. In human
beings, exposure to trichloroethylene may affect the central nervous system that in turn may lead
to impaction of ill diseases such as cancer, euphoria, headache which causes death.
In animals, exposure to trichloroethylene may have effect nervous system, liver, respiratory
system, kidneys, blood and immune system

Trichloroethylene Remediation in groundwater
Trichloroethylene can be removed from the underground water through Physical, chemical,
thermal and biological means. Also, pumping and treating by use of granular activated carbon or
stripping activated carbon
QUESTION 2
How Trichloroethylene ended up in the drinking water at Woburn, MA.
In the production process in the Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace, Trichloroethylene was
produced as a waste chemical product while producing hydrocarbons. The waste chemicals were
then dumped and irresponsibly disposed off into the river and streams. The chemical wastes
would then infiltrate into the underground water hence ending up in the drinking water
QUESTION 4
Job description for the following careers in regards to action plan on the environment.
a.Geologist-Checking the topography and the underground water level.
b. Environmental Engineer-Checking on the feasibility of the contaminated water reaching the
water sources and extend to which the chemicals have impacted the water sources (Faieta, 2016).
d. Hydrologist- the flow of river from the source to the end and the possible potential of the
contamination of ground and underground water due to TCE from the two companies.
e. Chemist-Analyzing the level and the quantity of the TCE in the water sources and drinking
water in the Wuhan area.
QUESTION 5
Responsibilities of lawyer defending the defendants in the case.

I would conduct preliminary research report to defend the defendant by giving evidences after
conducting research that the death and disease cases involved are not in connections with the
waste disposal form the two companies.
QUESTION 6
What I’d do if I were Jan Schlictmann’s law firm.
I would take the case and defend the plaintiff in regards to the case. By conducting research
report on the case
What factors I would use to help me make decision in regards to taking the case.
First and foremost, the intuition is the most powerful decision making tool. I would stop for a
while and reflect on the decision. My intuition would aid in the decision making.
The second factor would be checking the alignment with my passion, values and priorities in the
case.
QUESTION 7
The current status of the EPA’s Wells G and H Superfund site.
The EPA’s Wells G and H Superfund site has been cleaned up through excavation and
incineration of site on contaminated soils as well as filling the excavated areas to avoid soil
erosion. (Steel, 2012)
The sites are monitored by checking the potential intrusion of vapor of the commercial buildings
and monitoring the ground water.
QUESTION 8

I identify the most with Jan Schlictmann’s law firm. The firm aligned itself with intuition of
helping the community and the environment. It defended the plaintiff till the end.
QUESTION 9
Eventual outcome of the environmental case in Woburn, MA.
The outcome is that the degraded and contaminated soils and water were remediated (Voigt &
Makuch, 2014).
QUESTION 10
Where is Jan Schlictmann today, what does he do.
He is from Hawaii and back to Wahun.He a lawyer.
QUESTION 11
Lawsuit Environmental subject Year
Allison, et al. v. ExxonMobil Corp,
et al.
Land and aquifers: gasoline leak from service
station
2009
Lawsuit was established in Los Angeles City against the Victoria Park owners

References
Faieta, M. (2016). Environmental Harm: Civil Actions and Compensation. Chicago: Butterworths.
Harr, J. (2011). A Civil Action. London: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group,.