Filling the gaps in current Life cycle impact assessment framework

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The research program of my second discovery grant aims at addressing current methodological shortcomings and identified research gaps on human toxicity and water use in Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) by (A) developing an operational model to assess occupational exposure in LCA and (B) developing a robust modeling framework and operational method linking freshwater use to potential impacts on the Ecosystem quality impact indicators. It builds on the knowledge developed from my previous Discovery grant research program and other research activities supported by complementary founding. ***A characterization model accounting for occupational exposure in LCA is first developed by directly linking monitored occupational exposure concentrations, labor hours in each sector and effect factors to potential human health damages. It is evaluated through a case study form a furniture company, where a full LCA will be performed including human health burdens from occupational exposur. The methodology, originally developed for the US context, will then transposed into to Canadian and French contexts with the aim to analyze the importance of regional variability in addition to model uncertainty. The outcomes of this project will be transposed to the work health & safety domain to assist companies to improve their emission control capacities beyond regulatory threshold and increase their overall risk management across their value chain by developing occupational exposure sectorial benchmarks to which companies would compare and improve their own performances.***A robust framework linking water use to potential impacts on ecosystem quality is first developed building on a systematic analysis of published methods and scientific consensus building from an international group of LCA and water footprint experts. Building on these recommendations a characterization model to asses ecosystem quality impacts from hydroelectricity production (i.e. from water regulation and management in reservoirs) is then developed quantifying the effects of hydrological variables (e.g., water levels, discharge, time to reach full pool) on aquatic species population dynamics. These developments will be implemented in IMPACT World+ and used to evaluate the kilowatt-hour of HydroQuébec.*****