Use of the life-cycle assessment (LCA) toolbox for an environmental
evaluation of production processes
Monika Herrchen and Werner Klein
Fraunhofer-Institute for Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, D-57392 Schmallenberg, Germany
Abstract: Green chemistry not only emphasizes the central production
process of the "green" chemical, but it ultimately requires
a life-cycle conceptual approach for each chemical product. A life-cycle
conceptual approach comprises the consideration of all stages along
the life cycle of a chemical (i.e., raw material extraction, pre-production,
production, use, recycling, and disposal) as well as the consideration
of environmental impacts caused by by-products and auxiliaries (such
as solvents and additives, but also technical facilities which have
to be provided to produce the green chemical). A significant improvement
in the evaluation of green chemical products can be approached by the
complementary use of the methodologies of life-cycle assessment (LCA)
and risk assessment. The use and combination of both methodologies can
be performed by a separate use of the instruments (depending on the
scope, definition, and application of LCA), an iterative use of LCA
and risk assessment, or a complete integration of both instruments.
Pros and cons of these approaches are discussed.
Back to Contents for access to full
text