Defining Product Intake Fraction to Quantify and Compare Exposure to Consumer Products

Jolliet, Olivier; Ernstoff, Alexi; Csiszar, Susan A.; Fantke, Peter

doi:10.1021/acs.est.5b01083

Cited by 72 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(94 reference statements)

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“…Examples of this are related, e.g., to the emission profile of different driving behaviors (Rangaraju et al 2015;Girod et al 2013b) LCIA Impact assessment Behavior-related aspects that may imply higher or lower likelihood to be exposed in the use phase. Indeed, examples exist on for variability in exposure, exposure duration, use of preventive measures e.g., in the indoor impact assessment under development within LCA (Jolliet et al 2015;Golsteijn et al 2014) Communications Presentation of LCA results, labeling BS may help in identifying the message and most effective ways to deliver communication of LCA results (see for example Waechter et al 2015). This may also support understanding how the LCA results are perceived (Tobler et al 2011) and or how LCA-based labeling could be more effective (Röös and Tjärnemo 2011) Potential improvement Feedback to ecodesign BS may support the decision on whether (and how) improving the products (e.g., default options as the greener one, improving users' awareness through feedback).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumers and their behavior: state of the art in behavioral science supporting use phase modeling in LCA and ecodesign

Sorrentino

Woelbert

Sala

2016

Int J Life Cycle Assess

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Purpose Life cycle thinking and assessment require a holistic approach to the evaluation of product supply chains. An assessment from raw material extraction to end of life of any products is based on modeling a wide number of aspects and options, e.g., at technological, geographical, and temporal levels. Since the use phase is one of the most contributing life cycle stages for some products (e.g., appliance, housing, cars), a robust modeling of this stage is fundamental. Several attempts to better modeling use-phase have been performed; however, so far no systematic study is available on how to integrate behavioral science (BS) insights into LCA. This is even more important when the impact of the product under consideration is strongly determined by the use phase relatively to other life cycle stages. The aim of this paper is to explore how behavioral science has been used to date and how BS can contribute towards more robust modeling of use phase in LCA and as basis for a behavior-driven ecodesign. Methods We identified the key areas in which LCA and ecodesign may benefit from integrating insights from behavioral science and developing a conceptual model. Both robust modeling and the design of behavior change interventions rest on a sound understanding of behavior in the specific context of interest though empirical investigation. Hence, we reviewed literature on behavioral science and introduce key drivers of human behavior that are relevant in the context of use phase modeling and ecodesign. We provide examples where these were applied to facilitate the integration of BS elements by practitioners. Results and discussion Consumer's behavior is increasingly recognized as one of the drivers of overall environmental impact of a product, and some examples of use of BS for LCA are available in literature. We suggest that behavioral science can be useful in the context of life cycle assessment in two ways: measuring behavior and assessing potential and means for changing behavior. Specifically, insights and methods from behavioral sciences could be applied for assessing variability of consumer behavior, understanding leverages for behavioral changes, and possible rebound effects. Conclusions This insight may help to model the use phase more accurately, to identify realistic scenarios, and to support behavior-driven eco-innovation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumers and their behavior: state of the art in behavioral science supporting use phase modeling in LCA and ecodesign

Sorrentino

Woelbert

Sala

2016

Int J Life Cycle Assess

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“…For example, indoor pollutants do not have the same residential time indoors based on occupant ventilation strategies. Occupants are exposed to indoor chemicals through near-field exposure pathways that are highly behaviour-driven: for example, the intake of indoor chemicals via inhalation depends on the fraction of time spend at home (Jolliet et al, 2015). In return, these human intakes affect the indoor fate of chemicals significantly (Zhang, Arnot and Wania, 2014).…”

Section: Of Both Modelling Methodologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

To what extent can agent-based modelling enhance a life cycle assessment? Answers based on a literature review

Micolier

Loubet

Taillandier

et al. 2019

Journal of Cleaner Production

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Life cycle assessment (LCA) has proven its worth in modelling the entire value chain associated with the production of goods and services. However, modelling the consumption system, such as the use phase of a product, remains challenging due to uncertainties in the socioeconomic context. Agent-based models (ABMs) can reduce these uncertainties by improving the consumption system modelling in LCA. So far, no systematic study is available on how ABM can contribute towards a behavior-driven modelling in LCA. This paper aims at filing this gap by reviewing all papers coupling both tools. A focus is carried out on 18 case studies which are analysed according to criteria derived from the four phases of LCA international standards. Criteria specific to agent-based models and the coupling of both tools, such as the type and degree of coupling, have also been selected. The results show that ABMs have been coupled to LCA in order to model foreground systems with too many uncertainties arising from a behaviour-driven use phase, local variabilities, emerging technologies, to explore scenarios and to support consequential modelling. Foreground inventory data have been mainly collected from ABM at the use phase. From this review, we identified the potential benefits from ABM at each LCA phase: (i) scenario exploration, (ii) foreground inventory data collection, (iii) temporal and/or spatial dynamics simulation, and (iv) data interpretation and communication. Besides, methodological guidance is provided on how to choose the type and degree of coupling during the goal and scope phase. Finally, challenging LCA areas of research that could benefit from the agent-based approach to include behaviour-driven dynamics at the inventory and impact assessment phase have been identified.

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“…The general population is typically exposed to chemicals indirectly through environmental emissions and/or directly through use and contact with consumer products and other products such as furnishings and building materials (Jolliet et al 2015). For example, ecological receptors are usually exposed only through the indirect pathways following use and disposal, although products that are applied to soil or used in agricultural situations could result in direct exposure.…”

Section: Exposure Parameters and Their Importancementioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative Approach to Comparative Exposure in Alternatives Assessment

Greggs

Burns

Egeghy

et al. 2018

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

Self Cite

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Most alternatives assessments (AAs) published to date are largely hazard-based rankings, thereby ignoring potential differences in human and/or ecosystem exposures; as such, they may not represent a fully informed consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of possible alternatives. Building on the 2014 US National Academy of Sciences recommendations to improve AA decisions by including comparative exposure assessment into AAs, the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute's (HESI) Sustainable Chemical Alternatives Technical Committee, which comprises scientists from academia, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations, developed a qualitative comparative exposure approach. Conducting such a comparison can screen for alternatives that are expected to have a higher or different routes of human or environmental exposure potential, which together with consideration of the hazard assessment, could trigger a higher tiered, more quantitative exposure assessment on the alternatives being considered, minimizing the likelihood of regrettable substitution. This article outlines an approach for including chemical ingredient- and product-related exposure information in a qualitative comparison, including ingredient and product-related parameters. A classification approach was developed for ingredient and product parameters to support comparisons between alternatives as well as a methodology to address exposure parameter relevance and data quality. The ingredient parameters include a range of physicochemical properties that can impact routes and magnitude of exposure, whereas the product parameters include aspects such as product-specific exposure pathways, use information, accessibility, and disposal. Two case studies are used to demonstrate the application of the methodology. Key learnings and future research needs are summarized. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;00:000-000. © 2018 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

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Defining Product Intake Fraction to Quantify and Compare Exposure to Consumer Products

Cited by 72 publications

References 43 publications

Consumers and their behavior: state of the art in behavioral science supporting use phase modeling in LCA and ecodesign

Consumers and their behavior: state of the art in behavioral science supporting use phase modeling in LCA and ecodesign

To what extent can agent-based modelling enhance a life cycle assessment? Answers based on a literature review

Qualitative Approach to Comparative Exposure in Alternatives Assessment

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