European Characterization Factors for Human Health Damage of PM sub(10) and Ozone in Life Cycle Impact Assessment

The characterization factors (CFs) for human health effects of fine particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 mu m (PM sub(10)) and ozone (O sub(3)) in Europe for the purpose of life cycle impact assessment were examined. Primary PM sub(10) caused the largest number of life years lost per unit emission, followed by secondary aerosols. Mortality due to chronic PM sub(10) exposure had a dominant contribution compared to short-term mortality and morbidity. CFs for ozone was 3-4 orders of magnitude smaller than CFs for primary and secondary aerosols. Applying CFs for high and low stack sources separately for PM sub(10) and SO sub(2) life cycle emissions could led to a better estimation of human health damage due to the pollutants.