This paper describes a new semi-quantitative streamlined life cycle assessment(SLCA)method,the Environmental Relative Burden Index(ERBI),for describing and ranking the relative environmental burdens associated with fa...This paper describes a new semi-quantitative streamlined life cycle assessment(SLCA)method,the Environmental Relative Burden Index(ERBI),for describing and ranking the relative environmental burdens associated with facility operations and maintenance options.The long-range goal is for this ERBI method to serve as a pollution-prevention decision support tool for facilities managers,when faced with competing operations and maintenance alternatives.The specific application pre-sented in this paper evaluates asbestos-containing materials(ACM)and lead-based paint(LBP)management options in public school facilities.The ERBI methodol-ogy is adapted from previous streamlined semi-quantitative LCA methodologies and is described in detail.The ERBI is then employed to evaluate the relative environmental impacts of six management strategies for these hazardous building materials:management in-situ,encapsulation/containment,and full abatement/disposal,for both ACM and LBP.SLCA goal definition,system boundaries,ERBI matrix,and overall ERBI Ratings(RERB)for each material management strategy are presented.The ERBI can be a useful tool in prioritizing building maintenance alternatives,especially in cases where detailed quantitative data are unavailable.展开更多
基金made possible through grant funding from the U.S.National Science Foundation(EEC-0926289).
文摘This paper describes a new semi-quantitative streamlined life cycle assessment(SLCA)method,the Environmental Relative Burden Index(ERBI),for describing and ranking the relative environmental burdens associated with facility operations and maintenance options.The long-range goal is for this ERBI method to serve as a pollution-prevention decision support tool for facilities managers,when faced with competing operations and maintenance alternatives.The specific application pre-sented in this paper evaluates asbestos-containing materials(ACM)and lead-based paint(LBP)management options in public school facilities.The ERBI methodol-ogy is adapted from previous streamlined semi-quantitative LCA methodologies and is described in detail.The ERBI is then employed to evaluate the relative environmental impacts of six management strategies for these hazardous building materials:management in-situ,encapsulation/containment,and full abatement/disposal,for both ACM and LBP.SLCA goal definition,system boundaries,ERBI matrix,and overall ERBI Ratings(RERB)for each material management strategy are presented.The ERBI can be a useful tool in prioritizing building maintenance alternatives,especially in cases where detailed quantitative data are unavailable.
