Assignment 8.3/9.3: Social Impact

Potential Hazards

Potential hazards include:

• Microplastics - if plastic is used in our design, then when the product is disposed of it may decompose into microplastics, worsening an already existing pollution problem.

• Electronic waste - it is possible to recycle electronics or otherwise properly dispose of them, but many people do not.  Like with microplastics this is already a problem for society and by using electronic parts in our design we risk contributing to it.

• Data theft - if someone salvages parts from the device (or just steals the device), it could have the user's data still stored on it, leaking it.

Hazard Solutions

Solutions include:

• Designing the product so that either little plastic is used, or plastic components can be easily recycled (for example by making them detachable and out of recyclable plastics).

• Providing a manual that explains how and where the product can be safely and effectively disposed of.

• Encrypting user data on the device or including fail safes like wiping user data when the device gets plugged in for the first time.