• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.499-508
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• 2010

This study proposed a life cycle impact assessment index that can indicate the environment-related information of the product in monetary value such that the national geographical, environmental, and social features are fully reflected based on a damage-oriented model. First, the estimation process was classified into characterization, damage assessment, and integration stages considering the six biggest impact categories: resource depletion, global warming, ozone depletion, acidification, eutrophication, and photochemical oxidant creation. Moreover, this study came up with the 16 category endpoints related to the 6 impact categories, and the damage function, to the 4 largest safeguard subjects. The integration indices of finally identified impact categories were KRW 21.8/kg Sb, KRW 6.19/kg$CO_2$, KRW 53,000/kg CFC-11, KRW 13,100/kg $SO_2$, KRW 2,310/kg ${PO_4}^{3-}$, and KRW 3,030/kg $C_2H_4$. Using the results of this research, environmental impacts based on the environmental load generated throughout the entire life cycle of a product can serve as a single index in monetary value; thus enhancing understanding and utilization of the results of life cycle impact assessments.