A semi-quantitative method for the impact assessment of emissions within asimplified life cycle assessment

Intention, Goal and Scope: Dealing with data gaps, data asymmetries, and in consistencies in life cycle inventories (LCI) is a general problem in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. An approach to deal with these difficulties is the simplification of LCA. A methodology that lowers the requirements f or data quality (accuracy) for process emissions within a simplified LCA is introduced in this article. Background: Simplification is essential for ap plying LCA in the context of design for environment (DfE). The tool euroMat is a comprehensive DfE software tool that is based on a specific, simplifi ed LCA approach, the Iterative Screening LCA (IS-LCA). Within the scope of the IS-LCA, there is a quantitative assessment of energy-related processes, as well as a semi-quantitative assessment of non-energy related emissions which supplement each other. Objectives: The semi-quantitative assessment, which is in the focus of this article, aims at lowering the requirements fo r the quality of non-energy related emissions data through combined use of qualitative and quantitative inventory data. Methods: Potential environment al impacts are assessed based on ABC-categories for qualities (harmfulness) of emissions and XYZ-categories for quantities of emitted substances. Empl oying statistical methods assignment rules for the ABC/XYZ-categories were derived from literature data and databases on emissions to air, water, and soil. Statistical tests as well as a DfE case study (comparing the material s aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced epoxy for a lightweight container to be used in an aerospace application) were conducted in order to evaluate t he level of confidence and practicality of the proposed, simplified impact assessment. Results: Statistical and technical consistency checks show that the method bears a high level of confidence. Results obtained by the simpl ified assessment correlate to those of a detailed quantitative LCA. Conclus ions: Therefore, the application of the ABC/XYZ-categories (together with t he cumulative energy demand) can be considered a practical and consistent a pproach for determining the environmental significance of products when onl y incomplete emission data is available. Future Prospects: The statistical base of the method is expanded continuously since it is an integral part of the DfE software tool euroMat, which is currently being further developed. That should foster the application of the method. Outside DfE, the method should also be capable of facilitating simplified LCAs in general.