Evaluating Indoor Exposure Modeling Alternatives for LCA

Evaluating Indoor Exposure Modeling Alternatives for LCA PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
We evaluated three exposure models with data obtained from measurements among workers who use"aerosol" solvent products in the vehicle repair industry and with field experiments using these products to simulate the same exposure conditions. The three exposure models were the: 1) homogeneously-mixed-one-box model, 2) multi-zone model, and 3) eddy-diffusion model. Temporally differentiated real-time breathing zone volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration measurements, integrated far-field area samples, and simulated experiments were used in estimating parameters, such as emission rates, diffusivity, and near-field dimensions. We assessed differences in model input requirements and their efficacy for predictive modeling. The One-box model was not able to resemble the temporal profile of exposure concentrations, but it performed well concerning time-weighted exposure over extended time periods. However, this model required an adjustment for spatial concentration gradients. Multi-zone models and diffusion-models may solve this problem. However, we found that the reliable use of both these models requires extensive field data to appropriately define pivotal parameters such as diffusivity or near-field dimensions. We conclude that it is difficult to apply these models for predicting VOC exposures in the workplace. However, for comparative exposure scenarios in life-cycle assessment they may be useful.

Evaluating Indoor Exposure Modeling Alternatives for LCA

Evaluating Indoor Exposure Modeling Alternatives for LCA PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
We evaluated three exposure models with data obtained from measurements among workers who use"aerosol" solvent products in the vehicle repair industry and with field experiments using these products to simulate the same exposure conditions. The three exposure models were the: 1) homogeneously-mixed-one-box model, 2) multi-zone model, and 3) eddy-diffusion model. Temporally differentiated real-time breathing zone volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration measurements, integrated far-field area samples, and simulated experiments were used in estimating parameters, such as emission rates, diffusivity, and near-field dimensions. We assessed differences in model input requirements and their efficacy for predictive modeling. The One-box model was not able to resemble the temporal profile of exposure concentrations, but it performed well concerning time-weighted exposure over extended time periods. However, this model required an adjustment for spatial concentration gradients. Multi-zone models and diffusion-models may solve this problem. However, we found that the reliable use of both these models requires extensive field data to appropriately define pivotal parameters such as diffusivity or near-field dimensions. We conclude that it is difficult to apply these models for predicting VOC exposures in the workplace. However, for comparative exposure scenarios in life-cycle assessment they may be useful.

Integrating Human Indoor Air Pollutant Exposure Within Life Cycle Impact Assessment

Integrating Human Indoor Air Pollutant Exposure Within Life Cycle Impact Assessment PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Neglecting health effects from indoor pollutant emissions and exposure, as currently done in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), may result in product or process optimizations at the expense of workers? or consumers? health. To close this gap, methods for considering indoor exposure to chemicals are needed to complement the methods for outdoor human exposure assessment already in use. This paper summarizes the work of an international expert group on the integration of human indoor and outdoor exposure in LCA, within the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative. A new methodological framework is proposed for a general procedure to include human-health effects from indoor exposure in LCA. Exposure models from occupational hygiene and household indoor air quality studies and practices are critically reviewed and recommendations are provided on the appropriateness of various model alternatives in the context of LCA. A single-compartment box model is recommended for use as a default in LCA, enabling one to screen occupational and household exposures consistent with the existing models to assess outdoor emission in a multimedia environment. An initial set of model parameter values was collected. The comparison between indoor and outdoor human exposure per unit of emission shows that for many pollutants, intake per unit of indoor emission may be several orders of magnitude higher than for outdoor emissions. It is concluded that indoor exposure should be routinely addressed within LCA.

Integrated Life-Cycle and Risk Assessment for Industrial Processes and Products

Integrated Life-Cycle and Risk Assessment for Industrial Processes and Products PDF Author: Guido Sonnemann
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0429792484
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 405

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Book Description
Life-cycle assessment is a methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service during its life cycle, and risk assessment is a tool to evaluate potential hazards to human health and the environment introduced by pollutant emissions. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals call for, among other objectives, responsible consumption and production by decoupling environmental resource use and environmental impacts from economic growth and human well-being. Life-cycle assessment and risk assessment are both analytical system approaches that allow scientists and other decision makers to address these issues and objectives according to the current understanding of environmental mechanisms. This book is the first attempt to illustrate the existing interfaces between life-cycle assessment and risk assessment and to indicate options for further integration of both tools. The second edition: Focuses on sustainability Considers new developments in life-cycle assessment and environmental risk assessment over the last ten years at the international level Introduces broader concepts and discussions on integrative versus the complementary use of life-cycle and risk assessments Extends the scope of integrated life-cycle and risk assessments to critical raw materials Includes more case studies and discusses engineered nanomaterials Featuring contributions from leading experts, Integrated Life-Cycle and Risk Assessment for Industrial Processes and Products is a great reference for graduate students and professionals in environmental management and intends to catalyze communication between life-cycle assessment and risk assessment experts and scientists in academia, industry, and governmental agencies. The practical format of the book—illustrated with flowcharts, examples, exercises, and concrete applications—makes it a useful manual for analyzing situations and making decisions.

22nd European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering

22nd European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering PDF Author:
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0444594566
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 1483

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Book Description
Computer aided process engineering (CAPE) plays a key design and operations role in the process industries. This conference features presentations by CAPE specialists and addresses strategic planning, supply chain issues and the increasingly important area of sustainability audits. Experts collectively highlight the need for CAPE practitioners to embrace the three components of sustainable development: environmental, social and economic progress and the role of systematic and sophisticated CAPE tools in delivering these goals. - Contributions from the international community of researchers and engineers using computing-based methods in process engineering - Review of the latest developments in process systems engineering - Emphasis on a systems approach in tackling industrial and societal grand challenges

Sustainable Economics

Sustainable Economics PDF Author: Keith Skene
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351286188
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 449

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Book Description
This book marks a milestone in Economics publishing. Sustainable Economics is *the* subject of the moment, as businesses across the globe face up to peak oil prices, climate instability, increasingly complex environmental legislation and the challenge of adapting to a new business landscape. Sustainable Economics: Context, Challenges and Opportunities for the 21st Century Practitioner debugs the language of sustainable development. It explores the strengths and weaknesses of the many and diverse schools of thought. The book enables the modern business student and practitioner to disentangle the complex, often convoluted debate relating to sustainability, and it provides the tools necessary to lead their organizations through the murky waters of current times and prepare for the challenges of the future. Eschewing the linear – take, make and waste – approach of current business and manufacturing thinking, this book revisits the ecological models underpinning recent economic sustainability theory, and re-examines the consequences of modern ecological thought upon business strategies relating to sustainability. A chapter is also dedicated to the "circular economy", already in common parlance at policy levels in the UK, and notably in China and other developing countries.Packed with the most recent research papers, Sustainable Economics is an essential resource for the 21st-century business practitioner and legislator.The book is supported with a large array of teaching and learning material, for both formal and informal use, ranging from role play to data analysis which are available on request with the purchase of this book.

Improvement of the Life Cycle Assessment Methodology for Dwellings

Improvement of the Life Cycle Assessment Methodology for Dwellings PDF Author: Arjen Meijer
Publisher: IOS Press
ISBN: 9781586036904
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
The aim of this thesis is to improve the environmental life cycle assessment methodology for buildings by incorporating damage to the health of occupants of emissions from building materials and local traffic. It also intends to determine the overall impact reduction by building environmentally improved dwellings. This reduction is referred to as the socalled factor X for dwellings. a methodology has been developed to calculate damages to human health caused by pollutants emitted from building materials or from the soil to the indoor environment.

Modeling of Indoor Air Quality and Exposure

Modeling of Indoor Air Quality and Exposure PDF Author: Niren Laxmichand Nagda
Publisher: ASTM International
ISBN: 0803118759
Category : Environmental toxicology
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description


Development of a Model for Assessing Indoor Exposure to Air Pollutants

Development of a Model for Assessing Indoor Exposure to Air Pollutants PDF Author: Michael D Koontz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Indoor air pollution
Languages : en
Pages : 186

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Book Description


Environmental Pollutant Exposures and Public Health

Environmental Pollutant Exposures and Public Health PDF Author: R M Harrison
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
ISBN: 1839160446
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
Both genes and environment have profound effects upon our health. While some environmental factors such as polluted air are high in the public consciousness, there are many other pathways for people’s exposure to toxic chemicals, such as through food, water and contaminated land. It is not only chemicals that can affect health; environmental radioactivity, pathogenic organisms and our changing climate also have implications for public health, and all contribute to the global burden of disease, leading to both disability and deaths of millions of people annually across the world. An understanding of the pathways of environmental exposure, and its effects upon health is key to developing regulations and behaviours that reduce or prevent exposure, and the consequent impacts upon health. Covering topics from dietary exposure to chemicals through to the health effects of climate change, this book brings together contributors from around the world to highlight the latest science on the impacts of environmental pollutant exposure upon public health.

Development of a Model for Assessing Indoor Exposure to Air Pollutants

Development of a Model for Assessing Indoor Exposure to Air Pollutants PDF Author: Michael D. Koontz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Indoor air pollution
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description