Case Study Analysis: AI-Powered IoT Sensors for Hazardous Material
Monitoring
(a) Adverse effects of AI-powered IoT sensor errors on safety and welfare of the public and
environment
rrors in AI-powered IoT sensors may lead to significant risks, particularly if the system fails to
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detect hazardous substances correctly.
False Negative Results (missing hazards):
I f sensors fail to identify harmful heavy metals or toxic particles, contaminated soil or crops may
enter the food chain.
xample: Failure to detect lead in soil may result in crops absorbing it, causing long-term health
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issues like kidney damage in humans.
False Positive Results (false alarms):
I ncorrectly signaling contamination may lead to unnecessary disposal of crops, economic losses
for farmers, and food insecurity.
System Vulnerability and Cybersecurity Risks:
acked or malfunctioning IoT devices can provide misleading data, putting communities and
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ecosystems at risk.
Delayed Response to Emergencies:
I f real-time monitoring systems fail during a contamination event, toxic exposure may spread
before corrective measures are taken.
*Risk & Safety Issues: Public health hazards, ecosystem contamination, agricultural losses, and
loss of trust in AI-based monitoring systems.
( b) Social and environmental impacts of AI-powered IoT sensors on sustainable
development
I-powered IoT sensors contribute to sustainable development by ensuring safer environments
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and reducing long-term ecological harm. However, challenges exist.
Positive Impacts (supporting sustainability):
Improved Food Safety: Monitoring heavy metals ensures safer agricultural produce.
Environmental Protection: Reduces soil and water contamination through early detection.
Efficient Resource Use: Minimizes need for expensive lab testing, saving resources.
Public Awareness: Data-driven insights can guide policymakers in sustainable agriculture.
Negative Impacts (challenges):
-waste Generation: Deployment of large numbers of IoT devices may create electronic waste if
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not properly recycled.
igh Energy Usage: Running sensors continuously may increase energy demand, indirectly
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adding to carbon emissions if renewable energy is not used.
*Role of Sustainable Engineering Techniques:
co-design of sensors (using recyclable materials).
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Energy-efficient AI algorithms (reducing computational costs).
Lifecycle assessment to ensure devices minimize long-term harm.
xample: Countries like the Netherlands use IoT-based soil monitoring for precision farming,
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reducing fertilizer overuse and protecting ecosystems.
(c) Ethical issues in the engineering practice of the case study
Several ethical concerns arise in deploying AI-powered IoT monitoring systems:
1 . Accuracy and Reliability: Engineers must ensure devices do not compromise safety by
providing inaccurate results.
2 . Transparency & Accountability: Who is responsible if AI predictions are wrong—the
engineer, the company, or the government?
3 . Equity & Accessibility: If only wealthy nations or large corporations can afford these systems,
small farmers may be excluded, widening inequality.
4 . Data Privacy: Sensors collect environmental and agricultural data; misuse of this information
raises ethical questions.
5 . Violation of Ethical Standards: Neglecting proper testing, cost-cutting at the expense of safety,
or ignoring potential system failures would violate standard engineering ethics.
xample: If a company rushes to sell IoT sensors without thorough validation, and contaminated
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crops reach consumers, this breaches professional ethics of ensuring public safety.
( d) Engineering responsibility in designing an AI-based IoT system ensuring public safety
and sustainable development
ngineers carry dual responsibility: protecting public safety while promoting sustainable
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development.
Responsibilities for Public Safety:
Design fault-tolerant systems with backups.
Regularly calibrate sensors to avoid false data.
Implement strong cybersecurity to prevent hacking.
Responsibilities for Sustainability:
Minimize energy consumption of IoT networks.
Use biodegradable or recyclable materials in sensor design.
Ensure affordability and accessibility across society.
* Balancing Both Responsibilities:
ngineers should apply “Safety by Design” principles—integrating risk assessment, eco-friendly
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materials, and machine learning validation simultaneously.
Collaboration with policymakers ensures regulations for both safety and sustainability.
xample: Japan’s environmental monitoring systems for air pollution integrate redundant IoT
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devices, ensuring both reliable safety data and compliance with sustainability goals.
(e) Importance of establishing a sustainable AI-based IoT system for development of a
country
A sustainable AI-based IoT monitoring system is crucial for national growth in several aspects:
1. Social Importance:
Protects public health by preventing exposure to toxins.
Builds trust among citizens in government monitoring systems.
2. Economic Importance:
Prevents financial loss by reducing crop rejection due to contamination.
Encourages sustainable agriculture and exports, boosting GDP.
Lowers healthcare costs by preventing pollution-related illnesses.
3. Sustainable Development Importance:
upports UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG
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12 (Responsible Consumption), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Promotes eco-friendly industrial and agricultural practices.
* Importance of ‘Engineering Safety’:
ithout safety as the foundation, sustainability cannot be achieved. If IoT systems fail to
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safeguard people and ecosystems, economic and social benefits collapse.
xample: In India, AI-based soil quality monitoring has supported sustainable farming projects,
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improving crop yields while protecting soil health for future generations.
Discussion: AI-powered IoT sensors for hazardous material monitoring bring immense benefits
for food safety, environmental protection, and sustainable development. However, risks of sensor
errors, ethical concerns, and engineering responsibilities must be carefully addressed through
sustainable design, robust safety measures, and ethical compliance. This ensures that technology
not only advances economic growth but also protects people and ecosystems.
