I am setting up an LCA of a medical waste system in India, and was wondering what LCI databases and LCIA methods are used. In the past, I have typically used USLCI or Ecoinvent and TRACI, but those were all LCAs set in the US.
Hi, I don't know for the specific case of medicals, but ECOINVENT is not providing only USA data (...they are Swiss!) In example, in the electric sector, they have data from many world geographic regions (also India). Try to check the ECOINVENT version you have.
Alberto Moro is correct-- the ecoinvent database is quite global. It is also fairly typical to modify these unit processes with the local electric grid to simulate local data. There are limits to this approach, but it is better than nothing in the absence of local data.
As far as LCIA models. The TRACI model is developed for the US-- but it is intended to cover the entire of the US, which ranges from tropical to arctic environments. The CML methods are deliberately global, although they sometimes use EU models. Other methods such as LIME in Japan or ReCiPe in Europe are more localized in nature.
The process of assessment of the environmental impacts is the key ingredient in taking decisions pertaining to environmental clearance, but the inadequacies of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) in India has thwarted the entire objective of an ecological, economic and social cost – benefit analysis for sustainable development. Some details are available at the following links:
http://rostrumlegal.com/blog/the-environment-impact-assessment-mechanism-of-india-the-need-for-reform-and-the-shift-towards-the-essence-of-sustainable-development-by-bhagirath-ashiya/
https://www.elaw.org/system/files/Final+draft+Ports+%2526+Harbours.pdf
Environmental Management 1991, Volume 15, Issue 3, pp 357-368
I Agree with Rita, you need to localize for India but Keep Ecoinvent data as bench mark
- Badges
- Science method
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Ecology