Applicable only when calculating a Product Environmental Footprint (PEF).
Definition
Particulate Matter accounts for the formation of fine particles that can cause respiratory disease. It is measured in disease incidences per year.Environmental Mechanism
Combustion processes and industrial activities release primary particles and precursors (NOx, SO₂) that form secondary particles affecting human health.Calculation in GREENZERO Journey
- Collect emissions contributing to particulate matter formation.
- Apply ILCD factors to derive the number of disease incidences.
- Sum across life cycle stages.
About ReCiPe 2016ReCiPe 2016 is a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method that provides characterization factors for converting inventory data into environmental impact indicators. It is not a methodology itself, but rather a comprehensive database of impact assessment factors developed by Dutch research institutes.The method provides characterization factors that translate emissions and resource use into standardized impact units (e.g., kg CO₂ eq. for climate change, kg SO₂ eq. for acidification). GREENZERO Journey follows ISO 14040/44 methodological standards while using ReCiPe 2016 characterization factors for impact calculations.ReCiPe 2016 includes a similar indicator but is not part of our default eight categories.
Environmental Cost Conversion
No monetary factor from CE Delft exists yet; the result is reported as disease incidences.Example Calculation
A value of 0.001 disease incidences means roughly one additional case per thousand products produced.Interpretation
Higher values indicate greater potential human health impacts from particulates, often linked to fuel combustion.Reduction Strategies
- Use cleaner fuels
- Install particulate filters and scrubbers
Data Quality Considerations
- Regional background pollution levels influence actual impacts
Related Impact Categories
- Human Toxicity categories