Abstract
Under the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative there is an aim to develop an internationally backed recommended practice of life cycle impact assessment addressing methodological issues like choice of characterization model and characterization factors. In this context, an international comparison was performed of characterization models for toxic impacts from chemicals in life cycle assessment. Six commonly used characterization models were compared and in a sequence of workshops. Crucial fate, exposure and effect aspects were identified for which the models differed in their treatment. The models were harmonized in an iterative way removing those identified differences which were unintentional or unnecessary and thereby reducing the inter-model variation. A parsimonious (as simple as possible but as complex as needed) and transparent consensus model, USEtox™, was created containing only the most influential model elements. The USEtox™ model produces substance characterization factors, which fall within the range of the results from the participating models, i.e. the new characterization factors do not deviate more from the existing characterization factors than these deviate from each other. The USEtox™ model has been used to calculate characterization factors for several thousand substances and is currently under review with the intention that it shall form the basis of the recommendations from the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative regarding characterization of toxic impacts in Life Cycle Assessment. The results are also applicable to comparative chemical assessments outside of LCA.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | EcoChem 2009 - Chemistry & Ecodesign, 1-2 April 2009 in Montpellier, France : Programme, Book of Abstracts |
Number of pages | 47 |
Volume | Session 1 -Which Innovations Concerning LCA and Ecodesign Methodologies? |
Publisher | French Federation for Chemistry Sciences (FFC) and Chemistry for a Sustainable Development Chair (ChemSuD) |
Publication date | 2009 |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Event | EcoChem 2009 - Chemistry & Ecodesign, 1-2 April 2009 - Montpellier, France Duration: 1 Jan 2009 → … |
Conference
Conference | EcoChem 2009 - Chemistry & Ecodesign, 1-2 April 2009 |
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City | Montpellier, France |
Period | 01/01/2009 → … |
Keywords
- human toxicity
- ecotoxicity
- USEtox™
- Life Cycle Assessment
- comparative assessment of chemicals