Interpreting Impact Estimator Results

As output, the Impact Estimator produces a detailed life cycle inventory for an entered design. It also generates a set of summary impact indicators in graphical and tabular form based on US EPA’s Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts (the US Environmental Protection Agency’s TRACI - Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other environmental Impacts) life cycle impact indicator methodology (version 2.1).  The software supports characterization measures based on mid-point impact estimation methods, including the following:

  1. Acidification Potential
  2. Aquatic Eutrophication Potential
  3. Global Warming Potential
  4. Global Warming Potential-Biogenic
  5. Global Warming Potential-Calcination
  6. Human Health Criteria Air-mobile
  7. Ozone Depletion Potential
  8. Smog Potential
  9. Total Primary Energy
  10. Non Renewable Energy
  11. Fossil Fuel Consumption

This section briefly describes the nine environmental measures used to summarize the environmental assessment results provided by the Impact Estimator.

Acidification Potential (AP)

Acidification is a more regional rather than global impact effecting human health when high concentrations of NOx and SO2 are attained. The AP of an air or water emission is calculated on the basis of its SO2 equivalence effect on a mass basis.

 

Aquatic Eutrophication Potential

Eutrophication is the fertilization of surface waters by nutrients that were previously scarce. When a previously scarce or limiting nutrient is added to a water body it leads to the proliferation of aquatic photosynthetic plant life. This may lead to a chain of further consequences ranging from foul odours to the death of fish. The calculated result is expressed on an equivalent mass of nitrogen (N) basis.

 

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Global warming potential is a reference measure. The methodology and science behind the GWP calculation can be considered one of the most accepted LCIA categories. GWP will be expressed on an equivalency basis relative to CO2 – in kg or tonnes CO2 equivalent.

Carbon dioxide is the common reference standard for global warming or greenhouse gas effects. All other greenhouse gases are referred to as having a "CO2 equivalence effect" which is simply a multiple of the greenhouse potential (heat trapping capability) of carbon dioxide. This effect has a time horizon due to the atmospheric reactivity or stability of the various contributing gases over time.

As yet, no consensus has been reached among policy makers about the most appropriate time horizon for greenhouse gas calculations. The International Panel on Climate Change100-year time horizon figures have been used here as a basis for the equivalence index:

CO2 Equivalent kg = CO2 kg + (CH4 kg x 28) + (N2O kg x 265)

A recent IPCC report, "CLIMATE CHANGE 2013 The Physical Science Basis" provided an updated list of GWP equivalence factors, that have not as yet been updated (June 2014) in TRACI, but the Impact Estimator includes updated values for nine of the most common GWP contirbutors (Methane, Nitrous Oxide (N2O), CFC-11, CFC-12, HCFC-22, HCFC-141b, HCFC-142b, HFC-134a and Sulphur Hexaflouride). When the EPA publishes an updated list of TRACI characterization factors, the Impact Estimator will be updated with all the new factors.

While greenhouse gas emissions are largely a function of energy combustion, some products also emit greenhouse gases during the processing of raw materials. Process emissions often go unaccounted for due to the complexity associated with modelling manufacturing process stages. One example where process CO2 emissions are significant is in the production of cement (calcination of limestone). Because the Impact Estimator uses data developed by a detailed life cycle modelling approach, all relevant process emissions of greenhouse gases are included in the resultant global warming potential index.

 

Global Warming Potential Biogenic (GWP-Biogenic)

Biogenic carbon is an expression for the carbon dioxide (CO2) flows between the atmosphere and bio-based products. Living plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, store it as carbon in their mass, and the carbon is eventually released upon combustion or decomposition of the material. The biogenic carbon dioxide removals and emissions are included in the GWP results and additionally called out separately.

 

Global Warming Potential Biogenic (GWP-Calcination)

Calcination is a chemical process in cement production that causes carbon dioxide emissions. Calcium carbonate (limestone) is heated to create lime, with carbon dioxide as a by-product. The carbon dioxide emissions for concrete due to calcination are included in the GWP results and additionally called out separately.

 

Human Health (HH) Criteria Air-Mobile

Particulate matter of various sizes (PM10 and PM2.5) have a considerable impact on human health. The EPA has identified "particulates" (from diesel fuel combustion) as the number one cause of human health deterioration due to its impact on the human respiratory system – asthma, bronchitis, acute pulmonary disease, etc. It should be mentioned that particulates are an important environmental output of plywood product production and need to be traced and addressed. The Institute used TRACI’s "Human Health Particulates from Mobile Sources" characterization factor, on an equivalent PM2.5 basis, in our final set of impact indicators.

 

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

Stratospheric ozone depletion potential accounts for impacts related to the reduction of the protective ozone layer within the stratosphere caused by emissions of ozone depleting substances (CFCs, HFCs, and halons).  The ozone depletion potential of each of the contributing substances is characterized relative to CFC-11, with the final impact indicator indicating mass (e.g., kg) of equivalent CFC-11.

 

Photochemical Ozone Formation Potential (Smog)

Under certain climatic conditions, air emissions from industry and transportation can be trapped at ground level where, in the presence of sunlight, they produce photochemical smog, a symptom of photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP).  While ozone is not emitted directly, it is a product of interactions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).  The “smog” indicator is expressed on a mass of equivalent O3 basis.

 

Total Primary Energy

Total Primary Energy Consumption is reported in mega-joules (MJ) at the bottom of the Energy Consumption absolute value table as well as the Detailed and Condensed Summary Mesure tables. Embodied primary energy includes all energy, direct and indirect, used to transform or transport raw materials into products and buildings, including inherent energy contained in raw or feedstock materials that are also used as common energy sources. (For example, natural gas used as a raw material in the production of various plastic (polymer) resins.) In addition, the Impact Estimator captures the indirect energy use associated with processing, transporting, converting and delivering fuel and energy. If the user inputs Operating Energy Consumption, it will also be included in Total Primary Energy.

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Non-Renewable Energy

Non-Renewable Energy is a subtotal of Total Primary Energy, by energy type, that includes all fossil fuel energies and nuclear energy.

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Fossil Fuel Consumption

Fossil Fuel Consumption is a subtotal of Total Primary Energy, by energy type, that includes all fossil fuel energies.

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