Terminology Flashcards
Material
Substances and goods
MFA/SFA
Goods
Substances or mixtures of substances with economic value assigned
(MFA/SFA)
Substance
Single type of matter such as atoms or molecules
MFA/SFA
Process
Transport, transformation or storage of materials
MFA/SFA
Stocks
Material reservoirs in the system
MFA/SFA
Flow
Links processes (mass per time) (MFA/SFA)
Flux
– Links processes (mass per time and area)
MFA/SFA
Input
Flow or flux entering system
MFA/SFA
Output
Flow or flux leaving system
MFA/SFA
Transfer coefficient (TC)
Ratio between a part of the output and the total input
MFA/SFA
Functional unit
A measure of the function of the studied system that provides a reference to which the inputs and outputs can be related.
(LCA)
Marginal data
Data representing how the system reacts to changes. Used in consequential LCA, where marginal change is considered. For example, one may use marginal data to compare emissions from diesel cars and electric cars.
Average data
Data representing the average behavior of the system. Used in attributional LCA, where the total emissions over time is considered. For example, the average emissions from a power plant over a year.
Attributional LCA
Applicable for understanding the emissions directly associated with the life cycle of a product. Here and now assessment.
Consequential LCA
Applicable for informing on the change in total emissions from e.g. a policy decision. Before and after comparison.
Allocation
Partitioning the input or output flows of a process to the product system under study. Method required when a single process produces two or more products, and the emissions from the process need to be allocated between the outputs. Attributional LCA allocates emissions by economic value, energy content or mass. Consequential LCA avoids allocation by using system expansion.
Inventory analysis
The data collection part of LCA. Consists of detailed tracking of all the flows in and out of the system.
Multi input
Several inputs in a system, with a single output.
Multi output
Several outputs from a system with a single input.
Weighting
Capture values held by humans concerning different environmental problems
and from them create yardsticks to measure the relative severity of different environmental problems.
Hazard
The inherent capacity of a chemical or mixture to cause adverse effects in humans or the environment under the conditions of exposure.
(ERA)
Risk
The probability of an adverse effect on humans or the environment occurring as a result of a given exposure to a chemical or mixture.
(ERA)
Risk assessment
A process which entails some or all of the following elements: hazard identification, effects assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization.
(ERA)
Safety
The strong probability that adverse effects will not result from the use of a substance under specific conditions, depending on quantity and manner of use.
(ERA)