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(149) Presentation and discussion of different methods for carrying out working environmental LCA. Rasmussen, Pia1, Schmidt, Anders1, Jensen, Allan1, Bengtsson, Gunnar2, Karling, Mats2, Antonsson, Ann-Beth3, Brekke, Oddmund4, Becker, Jörg5, Verschoor, Atie6, 1 2 3 4 5 6 ABSTRACT- In the SETAC-Europe working group on integration of working environment in LCA, the existing methods for working environmental LCA (WE-LCA) have been presented and discussed. Several methods for WE-LCA have been developed, and experiences of the methods are available. Methods on WE-LCA includes screening methods that usually use a scoring system to rank the different alternatives, sector assessments that use statistical information from different economic sectors, and process methods that are based on an assessment of the individual processes in the life cycle. An evaluation of the methods shows that WE-LCA today can be made in parallel with LCA for the external environment, using the same goal, scope and basic data about the life cycle. The results are presented in a similar form as LCA-results, relating to a functional unit and allowing identification of hot spots. The main limitation has been availability of data, but this problem decreases as methods and databases are developed. Case studies have shown that it is possible to perform WE-LCA on regular consumer products, and get valuable information about the working environmental burdens during the life cycle. Case studies also show that it is possible to perform WE-LCA with a reasonable effort, especially if the WE-LCA is carried out together with an LCA for the external environment, and if a database is developed. The final report will present the pros and cons of the different methods. Key words: Life cycle assessment, Working environment, Methodologies, Evaluation |
