Abstract
One of the main shortcomings of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) when applied to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, is that there is currently no recognised procedure to deal with radionuclide emissions in the Impact Assessment stage. A framework which considers both human and environmental impacts is required and a methodology which is compatible with the other impact assessment approaches in LCA must be developed. It is important that the discussion is not only restricted to concepts, but that a working methodology is developed which can be readily applied by LCA practitioners. A provisional method is available for assessing radiological impacts on human health, but no consideration has been given to potential effects on the environment. A methodology is proposed in this paper which assesses irradiation of the environment using Environmental Increments (EI) as the quality standard. This approach is based on the same principles as for the Ecotoxicity classification group, and it represents a working methodology which can be continuously improved as knowledge in the area increases.
References
Amiro B.D. (1993a): Protection of the environment from nuclear fuel waste radionuclides: a framework using environmental increments. The Science of the Total Environment 128: 157–189
Amiro B.D. &Zach R. (1993b): A method to assess environmental acceptability of releases of radionuclides from nuclear facilities. Environmental International 19: 341–358
Buwai. (1991): Ecobalance of Packaging materials State of 1990. Federal Office of Environment, Forests and Landscape, Switzerland
Guinee J. &Heijungs R. (1993): A proposal for the classification of toxic substances within the framework of Life Cycle Assessment of products. Chemosphere 26 (10): 1925–1944
Guinee J., Heijungs R., van Oers L., van de. Meent D., Vermeire T. &Rikken M. (1996): LCA impact assessment of toxic releases — generic modelling of fate, exposure and effect for ecosystems and human beings with data for about 100 chemicals. Centre of Environmental Science (CML) & National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM), The Netherlands
Heijungs R. (1994): Life Cycle Impact Assessment — A brief survey with some ideas on radiation. Paper presented at the Technical Committee meeting on Development and use of environmental impact indicators for comparative risk assessment of different energy sources. Vienna, 3-6 May, IAEA headquarters, Vienna, Austria
Heijungs R., Guinée J.B., Huppes G., Lankreijer R.M., Udo de Haes H.A., Wegener Sleeswijk A., Ansems A.M.M, Eggels P.G., van Duin R, de Goede H.P. (1992): Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Products, Vol. II Backgrounds. Centre of Environmental Science, Leiden, The Netherlands
IAEA (1992): Effects of ionizing radiation on plants and animals at levels implied by current radiation protection standards. International Atomic Energy Agency, Technical Report Series 332, Vienna, Austria
ICRP (1977): Recommendations of the ICRP, Annals of the ICRP 1 (3), ICRP publication 26, International Commission on Radiological Protection. Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK
Jolliet O. (1995): Impact Assessment of human and eco-toxicity in Life Cycle Assessment. SETAC-working group on impact assessment in LCA, paper 3/95
NCRP (1991): Effects of ionizing radiation on aquatic organisms. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. Report No. 109, Maryland, USA
Thompson P.M. (1988): Environmental monitoring for radionuclides in marine ecosystems; are species other than man protected adequately. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 7: 275–283
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Solberg-Johansen, B., Clift, R. & Jeapes, A. Irradiating the environment: Radiological impacts in life cycle assessment. Int. J. LCA 2, 16–19 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978710
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978710