Environmental assessment of chemicals: methods and application to a case study of organic solvents

摘要: Suitable environmental assessment tools are needed for the development of sustainable chemical products and processes. In this paper, three methods chemicals with different focus, fields application, data requirements presented. The first method aims to identify potential environmental, health safety hazards in early phases process design. second approach is calculate screening indicators unwanted exposure terms persistence spatial range. third perform a full life-cycle assessment. differences between discussed, first, on theoretical basis then within case study 13 solvents. results all indicate that use chlorinated solvents should be avoided, while such as methanol, isopropanol, toluene xylene less problematic. Moreover, there unique each method: addition solvents, nitrobenzene has long-lasting widespread exposure; concerning aspects, care taken respect formaldehyde, benzene, acetic acid; according assessment, energy makes up large fraction impact aniline. study, provide consistent both overall regard single aspects degradability or toxicity. Since not considered methods, also complementary results.