Abstract
As an optional step of the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) phase in the ISO standards,
normalization aims to express the magnitude of the impacts by comparing the characterized
results against a common reference situation - the normalization references. In this study, we used
inventories of two economic regions, North America and Europe, to calculate normalization
references for the three currently-modelled USEtoxTM-based impact categories, i.e. freshwater
ecotoxicity, human toxicity, divided into cancer effects and non-cancer effects. Base years for the
references are 2004 for Europe and 2006 for North America. The normalization references have
been calculated using recommended factors as well as with interim factors, as needed. It is found
that, in spite of different inventory assumptions, the normalization references fall within the same
order of magnitude for both North America and Europe. By analysing the most contributing
substances, metals turn out to dominate the impacts in both regions. This may be explained by
the interim status of the characterization factors (CFs) for metals, which might be overestimated
in the current model. Part of the explanation may also lie in the incomplete coverage of organics
in both the inventory and the CF databases. With respect to the intended global character of the
USEtoxTM model, different approaches to determine normalization references of other economic
systems (e.g. Asia or world) are discussed in relation to these findings. Overall, we thus recommend
the use of the provided set of normalization references for USEtoxTM, but we also advocate
1) to perform an update as soon as a more comprehensive inventory can be obtained and as soon
as characterization factors for metals are revised; 2) to consider extension to other economic systems
in order to allow normalization in USEtoxTM to be used on a global scale.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | SETAC Europe 21st Annual Meeting Abstract Book |
Number of pages | 131 |
Publication date | 2011 |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Event | SETAC Europe 21st Annual Meeting: Ecosystem Protection in a Sustainable World: A Challenge for Science and Regulation - Milano Convention Centre, Milano, Italy Duration: 15 May 2011 → 19 May 2011 Conference number: 21 http://milano.setac.eu/home/?contentid=291&pr_id=290 |
Conference
Conference | SETAC Europe 21st Annual Meeting |
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Number | 21 |
Location | Milano Convention Centre |
Country/Territory | Italy |
City | Milano |
Period | 15/05/2011 → 19/05/2011 |
Internet address |