[JJSaysNay]

Does the penalty only take effect if equipment is discarded after it is encountered? or does previously discarded equipment (in the same attempt) also count?

https://www.trekcc.org/1e/index.php?cardID=5057

[Enabran]

It is like the good old Hazardous Duty.
You place the dilemma on the mission and from there on until the mission is solved the text of the dilemma affects you; or both players.

So, the strategy is, seed first Contaminating a Culture and then Common Thief or Quality of Life or something like this.

You can also find tips to to most dilemmas, if you read the Dilemma Resolution Guide of the given cards.