Page 104 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

86 LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT HANDBOOK

Table 4.8 Midpoint impact categories modeled in TRACI.
Global warming Acidification Fossil Fuel Use
Ozone Depletion Eutrophication Habitat/T&E Species
Smog Formation Water Use
Ecotoxicity
Human Health:
-criteria-related
-cancer
-noncancer
T&E: Threatened & Endangered.

panel weighting is available, but no operational generic weighting set have
been developed. For the midpoints a monetisation method on the basis of pre-
vention costs is provided.

Reference for ReCiPe:
Goedkoop M.J., Heijungs R, Huijbregts M v De Schryver A., Struijs J., and
van Zelm R. (2009). ReCiPe 2008 - A life cycle impact assessment method
which comprises harmonised category indicators at the midpoint and the
endpoint level; First edition Report I: Characterisation; 6 January 2009.

The Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other environ-
mental Impacts (TRACI)
http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?dirEntryId=103924
TRACI was developed by the US EPA. The impact categories are character-
ised at the midpoint level, to concur with a higher level of societal agreement
concerning the certainties of modeling within the cause-effect chain. TRACI
was originally designed to assess chemical risks but has found usefulness in
LCA. The methodologies underlying TRACI reflect state-of-the-art develop-
ment and best-available practice for US conditions. A normalization database
consistent with TRACI's impact categories and inventory flows is available,
but no weighting is recommended in the models.

Reference for TRACI:
Bare, J.C., G.A. Norris, D.W. Pennington and T. McKone (2003) TRACI:
The Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other
Environmental Impacts J Ind Ecol. 6(3): 49-78.

4.5 Variability in the LCIA Models

The diversity offered in the various LCIA models that are available has created
confusion, followed by criticism, of the use of LCIA, and LCA in general, since
having several methodologies to choose from has the potential to generate dif-
ferent results. The ISO 14042 standard on impact assessment published in 1999,