Page 385 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

L1644_C08.fm Page 346 Tuesday, October 21, 2003 3:03 PM

• Example 1 is a direct continuation of the MSWI case study presented
through Chapters 1 to 7. In the same way as for waste incineration, site-
oriented impact assessment makes sense for landfilling. The site-specific
study is carried out as a demonstration project for one pollutant only.
More air pollutants could easily be checked by the same scheme; for
emissions to water and soil other models need to be used.
• Example 2, on the other hand, shows the clear limitations of site-orientated
impact assessment for electronic products and other complex product
systems in line with the differentiation made in the introductory section
of Chapter 6.
• Example 3 demonstrates the applicability of the strategy to an industrial
process in the area of chemical engineering. The subsequent application
of the different analytical tools gives a much more complete picture of
the environmental implications of the industrial separation process than
each tool applied independently.

This means the cases show the principle feasibility and the existing limitations
of the integration of life-cycle and risk assessment and clearly indicate that the same
basis of data can be used. However, the examples presented here must be put into
real applications within a decision-making context to be effective. Some further
adaptations — especially simplifications of the links between the different assess-
ment tools — are highly recommended in order to facilitate nonacademic applica-
tions. We need to move from theory to practice in this area.
Integrated product policy (IPP) and the new chemicals policy are currently major
areas of debate in the EU and have the potential to foster the application of the
integrative approach of LCA and ERA presented in this book. Looking into the
white paper strategy for a future chemicals policy and into the conclusions of the
Council of the European Union on the IPP Green Paper, in several places it is pointed
out that interaction is needed, i.e., an integrated approach for exchanging information
on the chemical/product, preventing products containing harmful chemicals, avoid-
ing processes applying and generating hazardous substances and, consequently,
avoiding emissions of chemicals.
A good starting point could also be environmental risk assessments in which
the point of departure for the assessment is usually the chemical, i.e., more or less
upstream in the life-cycle, whereas LCA considers the functional unit, i.e., the
function that the product delivers, which is further downstream. A weak point in
many ERAs is the estimation of the use and disposal emissions of the chemicals.
LCA methodology may potentially improve these estimates. Simultaneously, risk
assessment methodology may assist in generating upstream information in life-cycle
assessments — often a weak point in many LCAs. As proposed and shown in this
book, data sharing for an integrated life-cycle and risk assessment seems to be the
way to proceed.

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