Terminology

Question 1

Material

Answer 1

Substances and goods

MFA/SFA

Question 2

Goods

Answer 2

Substances or mixtures of substances with economic value assigned
(MFA/SFA)

Question 3

Substance

Answer 3

Single type of matter such as atoms or molecules

MFA/SFA

Question 4

Process

Answer 4

Transport, transformation or storage of materials

MFA/SFA

Question 5

Stocks

Answer 5

Material reservoirs in the system

MFA/SFA

Question 6

Flow

Answer 6

Links processes (mass per time)
(MFA/SFA)

Question 7

Flux

Answer 7

– Links processes (mass per time and area)

MFA/SFA

Question 8

Input

Answer 8

Flow or flux entering system

MFA/SFA

Question 9

Output

Answer 9

Flow or flux leaving system

MFA/SFA

Question 10

Transfer coefficient (TC)

Answer 10

Ratio between a part of the output and the total input

MFA/SFA

Question 11

Functional unit

Answer 11

A measure of the function of the studied system that provides a reference to which the inputs and outputs can be related.
(LCA)

Question 12

Marginal data

Answer 12

Data representing how the system reacts to changes. Used in consequential LCA, where marginal change is considered. For example, one may use marginal data to compare emissions from diesel cars and electric cars.

Question 13

Average data

Answer 13

Data representing the average behavior of the system. Used in attributional LCA, where the total emissions over time is considered. For example, the average emissions from a power plant over a year.

Question 14

Attributional LCA

Answer 14

Applicable for understanding the emissions directly associated with the life cycle of a product. Here and now assessment.

Question 15

Consequential LCA

Answer 15

Applicable for informing on the change in total emissions from e.g. a policy decision. Before and after comparison.

Question 16

Allocation

Answer 16

Partitioning the input or output flows of a process to the product system under study. Method required when a single process produces two or more products, and the emissions from the process need to be allocated between the outputs. Attributional LCA allocates emissions by economic value, energy content or mass. Consequential LCA avoids allocation by using system expansion.

Question 17

Inventory analysis

Answer 17

The data collection part of LCA. Consists of detailed tracking of all the flows in and out of the system.

Question 18

Multi input

Answer 18

Several inputs in a system, with a single output.

Question 19

Multi output

Answer 19

Several outputs from a system with a single input.

Question 20

Weighting

Answer 20

Capture values held by humans concerning different environmental problems
and from them create yardsticks to measure the relative severity of different environmental problems.

Question 21

Hazard

Answer 21

The inherent capacity of a chemical or mixture to cause adverse effects in humans or the environment under the conditions of exposure.
(ERA)

Question 22

Risk

Answer 22

The probability of an adverse effect on humans or the environment occurring as a result of a given exposure to a chemical or mixture.
(ERA)

Question 23

Risk assessment

Answer 23

A process which entails some or all of the following elements: hazard identification, effects assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization.
(ERA)

Question 24

Safety

Answer 24

The strong probability that adverse effects will not result from the use of a substance under specific conditions, depending on quantity and manner of use.
(ERA)

Question 25

Hazard identification

Answer 25

Identification of the adverse effects which a substance has an inherent capacity to cause, or in certain cases, the assessment of a particular effect.
(ERA)

Question 26

Effects assessment

Answer 26

The estimation of the relationship between dose or level of exposure to a substance, and the incidence and severity of an effect.
(ERA)

Question 27

Exposure assessment

Answer 27

Determination of the emissions, pathways and rates of movement of a substance and its transformation or degradation in order to estimate the concentrations/doses to which human populations or environmental compartments are or may be exposed.
(ERA)

Question 28

Risk characterization

Answer 28

An estimate of the incidence and severity of the adverse effects likely to occur in a human population or environmental compartment due to actual or predicted exposure to a substance and may include risk estimation.
(ERA)

Question 29

Risk management

Answer 29

A decision-making process that entails weighing political, social, economic and engineering information against risk-related information to develop, analyze and compare regulatory options and select the appropriate regulatory response to a potential health or environmental hazard.
(ERA)

Question 30

Risk reduction

Answer 30

Taking measure to protect humans and the environment from the risks identified.
(ERA)

Question 31

NOEL

Answer 31

No effect level

ERA

Question 32

NOEC

Answer 32

No effect concentration

ERA

Question 33

PNEC

Answer 33

Predicted no effect concentration, lowest found NOEC

ERA

Question 34

PEC

Answer 34

Predicted environmental concentration

ERA

Question 35

Assessment factors

Answer 35

Numbers reflecting the degree of uncertainty when experimental data from model systems are extrapolated to humans or ecosystems.
(ERA)

Question 36

Risk quotients (factor)

Answer 36

If RQ is higher than 1, the risk is not controlled.
RF=PEC/PNEC, RF=PDI/ADI
(ERA)

Question 37

Point source

Answer 37

A single source of emissions, e.g. a pipe

ERA

Question 38

Diffuse source

Answer 38

Emissions occur over a wide area and are not easily attributed to a
single source.
(ERA)

Question 39

Continuous emissions

Answer 39

Emissions are constant over time

ERA

Question 40

Block emissions

Answer 40

Emissions occur in blocks, such as emissions from cars during rush
hours.
(ERA)

Question 41

Peak emissions

Answer 41

Emissions from a specific event, e.g. an oil accident.

ERA

Question 42

Threshold

Answer 42

The point at where the level of exposure causes effects.

ERA