Utility of Substance Stock and Flow Studies

Abstract

SummaryDespite phase-out policies, regulations, planning, and systematic thinking, diffuse emissions of hazardous substances from goods and materials accumulate in society. This is most pronounced in urban areas, since such emissions are related to high densities of people, services, and goods. In this study of Stockholm, Sweden, the aim is to discuss the utility of substance flow analyses (SFAs) for the urban management of hazardous substances. Several SFAs in Stockholm have been conducted during the period from 1995-2007. Eleven case studies were selected and were related to utility aspects to discover specific factors involved in the practical application of SFA. As far as ongoing environmental management is concerned, it can be stated that the SFAs' results have been implemented in several local environmental objectives. Citations and use of the SFAs show that the studies, which focus on diffuse emissions, have had a strong influence on local policy. The application of SFA in Stockholm reveals that methodology factors, type of information, local context, and method of communication may be important in the utilization of SFA in policy. In the implementation of the results of Stockholm studies, it has been a strength to have both the environmental monitoring, which indicates the existence of hazardous substances in different environmental compartments, and SFAs that map and monitor sources of emissions.

Implementing the Results of Material Flow Analysis

“…One aspect that is often neglected and is essential for the implementation of the results is consideration of the type of knowledge generated and transmitted to the relevant stakeholders. For example, SFAs that map and estimate emissions from diffuse sources of pollutants have the potential to be useful for policy‐making efforts by local government (see, for example, the articles by Månsson and colleagues [2009] and Boehme and colleagues [2009] in this issue, described more below). In most MFA and SFA efforts, system knowledge and understanding is generated—how are resources or pollutants flowing through society and the environment—but with little to no reference to goals (i.e., what would be sustainable?).…”

“…An important article in this issue by Månsson and colleagues (2009) describes the results of an effort to determine not only the practical utility of SFAs, but the factors that influence an SFA's potential to aid in making environmental management decisions. These researchers show that the results of SFAs of diffuse pollutants have been incorporated in several of Stockholm, Sweden's environmental objectives, and that these studies have a strong influence on local policy.…”

Bismuth and Silver in Cosmetic Products: A Source of Environmental and Resource Concern?

“…SFA is a method commonly used to map the flows and stocks of different substances in, for example, an urban area (Brunner ; Eriksson et al ; Månsson et al ; Van der Voet et al ). This study follows SFA methodology, where three kinds of common cosmetic products were analyzed to determine whether they may provide a notable source of Bi and Ag in our society and environment.…”

Systematic Evaluation of Uncertainty in Material Flow Analysis

“…In MFA studies regarding heavy metal flows in Stockholm, a five‐level classification scheme was used to determine uncertainty factors and derive uncertainty intervals for MFA data (cf. Hedbrant and Sörme ; Månsson et al ). However, though data were characterized by asymmetric uncertainty intervals, Hedbrant and Sörme () assumed that the uncertainty interval had similar qualities as the standard deviation of a normal distribution (upper uncertainty limit is used to define the standard deviation) to perform calculations in the material flow model.…”