vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Tool for the Reduction and
Assessment of Chemical and
Other Environmental
Impacts (TRACI):
User's Guide and System
Documentation
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EPA/600/R-02/052
June 2003
Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and
Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI):
User's Guide and System Documentation
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
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Disclaimer
Use of TRACI (the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other environmental Impacts),
including but not limited to the impact assessment modeling, does not confer legal rights or impose legal
obligations upon any member of the public. Furthermore, it does not release users from any potential liability,
either administrative or judicial for any damage to human health or the environment.
Neither EPA nor anyone involved in the development of TRACI makes any warranty, expressed or implied, as to
any matter whatsoever, including the accuracy of the database, the appropriateness of actions taken by third parties
as a result of using the model, or the merchantability or fitness of the model for a particular purpose. EPA does
not endorse any products or services.
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Foreword
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged by Congress with protecting the Nation's
land, air, and water resources. Under a mandate of national environmental laws, the Agency strives to
formulate and implement actions leading to a compatible balance between human activities and the ability
of natural systems to support and nurture life. To meet this mandate, EPA's research program is providing
data and technical support for solving environmental problems today and building a science knowledge
base necessary to manage our ecological resources wisely, understand how pollutants affect our health,
and prevent or reduce environmental risks in the future.
The National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) is the Agency's center for investigation
of technological and management approaches for preventing and reducing risks from pollution that
threaten human health and the environment. The focus of the Laboratory's research program is on
methods and their cost-effectiveness for prevention and control of pollution to air, land, water, and
subsurface resources; protection of water quality in public water systems; remediation of contaminated
sites, sediments and ground water; prevention and control of indoor air pollution; and restoration of
ecosystems. NRMRL collaborates with both public and private sector partners to foster technologies that
reduce the cost of compliance and to anticipate emerging problems. NRMRL's research provides solutions
to environmental problems by: developing and promoting technologies that protect and improve the
environment; advancing scientific and engineering information to support regulatory and policy decisions;
and providing the technical support and information transfer to ensure implementation of environmental
regulations and strategies at the national, state, and community levels.
This publication has been produced as part of the Laboratory's strategic long-term research plan. It is
published and made available by EPA's Office of Research and Development to assist the user community
and to link researchers with their clients.
Hugh W. McKinnon, Director
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
ill
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Abstract D
TRACI allows the examination of the potential for impacts associated with the raw material usage and chemical
releases resulting from the processes involved in producing a product. TRACI allows the user to examine the
potential for impacts for a single life cycle stage, or the whole life cycle, and to compare the results between
products or processes.
The purpose of TRACI is to allow a determination of priorities or a preliminary comparison of two or more options
on the basis of the following environmental impact categories: ozone depletion, global warming, acidification,
eutrophication, photochemical smog, human health cancer, human health noncancer, human health criteria,
ecotoxicity, fossil fuel use, land use, and water use. TRACI is an impact assessment tool that will support
consistency in environmental decision making. It is recognized that additional tools may be useful to assess,
prioritize and reduce potential environmental impacts. This user's guide presents information to assist in the use
of, limitations and uncertainties associated with, and information concerning, the methodologies within TRACI.
For more information regarding TRACI, please contact:
Jane Bare
U.S. EPA (MS-466)
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Sustainable Technology Division
Systems Analysis Branch
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268 USA
Email: bare.jane@epa.gov
IV
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Table of Contents
Disclaimer ii
Foreword iii
Abstract iv
List of Figures viii
List of Tables ix
Acronyms x
Acknowledgments xi
Chapter 1. Introduction to TRACI 1
1.1 Overview 1
1.2 TRACI 1
1.3 Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) 2
1.4 Limitations of TRACI 3
1.5 Conclusions 3
1.6 Document Organization 4
Chapter 2. How to Use TRACI 5
2.1 Overview of TRACl's Functions 5
2.2 Data Structure 5
2.3 Installation and Uninstallation 6
2.3.1 Installation 6
2,3,2 Uninstallation 7
2.4 Introduction Screens 7
2.5 Main Menu 9
2.6 Program Overview 10
2.7 Enter/Edit LCI Data 10
2.7.1 Projects in TRACI 10
2.7.2 Add a New Project Description 11
2.7.3 Edit/View an Existing Project Description 12
2.7.4 Find a Project 13
2.7.5 View Product List and Related Projects 13
2.7.6 Add a New Product 14
2.7.7 Edit/View an Existing Product 15
2.7.8 Add/Edit Life Cycle Stages 16
2.7.9 Add a New Process 17
2.7.10 Edit/View an Existing Process 18
2.7.11 Add a New Resource/Release 19
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Add a New Chemical Release (Output) 20 D
Add Land Use Data 21 D
Add Fossil Fuel Use Data 22 D
Add Water Use Data 22 D
2.7.12 Importing Releases 22 D
2.7.13 Edit/View Resources and Releases 24 D
2.7.14 View Available Factors 26 D
2.7.15 View TRACI's Characterization Factors 27 D
2.7.16 Enter Process Details 29 D
2.7.17 Add/Edit Related Projects 32 D
2.8 Perform Calculations 33 D
2.8.1 Setting for Calculations 33 D
2.8.2 View the Results 34 D
Inventory Table 34 D
Classification Table 35 D
Characterization Tables 36 D
Characterization Graphs 38 D
Characterization of Resources/Releases for One Process 39 D
Characterization of Multiple Products by Life Cycle Stage 40 D
Characterization of Multiple Processes for One Product 40 D
Characterization of Life Cycle Stages for One Product 41 D
Characterization of Resources/Releases for Multiple Processes for One Product ... 42 D
Characterization of Resources/Releases at the Product Level 43 D
Abbreviations in Tables and Graphs 44 D
Other Features for Graphs and Tables 46 D
2.9 Transfer Data 46 D
Chapter 3. Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment 49 D
3.1 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) 49 D
3.2 Components of LCA 49 D
3.2.1 Goal Definition and Scoping 50 D
3.2.2 Inventory Analysis 51 D
3.2.3 Life Cycle Impact Assessment 52 D
3.2.4 Interpretation 53 D
3.3 Product Stages 53 D
3.3.1 Raw Materials Acquisition 53 D
3.3.2Manufacturing^ 54 D
Materials Manufacture 54 D
Product Fabrication 54 D
Filling/Packaging/Distribution 54 D
3.3.3 Use/Reuse/Maintenance 54 D
3.3.4 Recycle/Waste Management 54D
3.4 Calculating the Results 54 D
3.5 Data Sources 55 D
Chapter 4. Providing Inventory Data 57 D
Project Description Worksheet 58 D
Inventory of Resources and Releases 59 D
Appendix A. Glossary A-l D
VI
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Appendix B. Location Specific Data B-l D
Appendix C. Bibliography C-l D
viin
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List of FiguresD
Figure 2-1. Levels of LCI Data 6 D
Figure 2-2. Splash Screen 7 D
Figure 2-3. Introduction Screen 8 D
Figure 2-4. EPA Disclaimer 8 D
Figure 2-5. Main Menu 9 D
Figure 2-6. Projects in TRACI 10 D
Figure 2-7. Add New Project Description 11D
Figure 2-8. Find Project 13 D
Figure 2-9. Projects in TRACI with Details 14 D
Figure 2-10. Add a New Project 14 D
Figure 2-11. Edit an Existing Product 15 D
Figure 2-12. Add/Edit Life Cycle Stages 16 D
Figure 2-13. Add Process 17 D
Figure 2-14. Edit Process 18 D
Figure 2-15. Add Release 19 D
Figure 2-16. View Release 20 D
Figure 2-17. Import Data 24 D
Figure 2-18. View Release 25 D
Figure 2-19. Available Factors 26 D
Figure 2-20. TRACI Characterization Factors 28 D
Figure 2-21. Process Details 29 D
Figure 2-22. Process Boundaries 30 D
Figure 2-23. Data Quality 31 D
Figure 2-24. Add/Edit Related Project(s) 32 D
Figure 2-25. Setting for Calculations 33 D
Figure 2-26. Inventory Results 34 D
Figure 2-27. Classification Results 35 D
Figure 2-28. Characterization Results 37 D
Figure 2-29. Resources/Releases for One Process 39 D
Figure 2-30. Multiple Products by Life Cycle Stage 40 D
Figure 2-31. Multiple Processes for One Product 41 D
Figure 2-32. Life Cycle Stages for One Product 42 D
Figure 2-33. Resources/Releases for Multiple Processes for One Product 43 D
Figure 2-34. Resources/Releases at the Product Level 44 D
Figure 2-35. Transfer LCI Data 46 D
Figure 2-36. Export TRACI Data 47 D
Figure 2-37. Set Export Criteria 48 D
Figure 3-1. Life Cycle Assessment Framework 50 D
Figure 3-2. Inputs and Outputs 52 D
Figure 3-3. Sources of Data 56 D
Figure B-1. Census Regions B-2 D
VIM
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List of Tables
Table 2-1. Preparing Import Table 23 D
Table 2-2. Location Abbreviations 45 D
Table 2-3. Impact Type Abbreviations 45 D
Table 2-4. Life Cycle Stage Abbreviations 45 D
Table B-l. Geographic Levels for Impacts B-l D
Table B-2. Geographical Location Abbreviations and Designated Regions B-2 D
IX
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Acronyms
CAS Chemical Abstract Service
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
g Gram
gal Gallon
ISO International Organization for Standardization
kg Kilogram
L Liter
Ib Pound
LC Life Cycle
LCI Life Cycle Inventory
LCIA Life Cycle Impact Assessment
LCA Life Cycle Assessment
M3 Cubic Meter
mg Milligram
MJ Mega Joule
Qty Quantity
scf Standard Cubic Foot
SETAC Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
sq.ft Square Foot
sq.km Square Kilometer
sq.mi Square Mile
T&E Threatened and Endangered Species
TRACI Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts
UOM Unit of Measurement
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Acknowledgments
TRACI, the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other Environmental Impacts, was
developedby the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Risk Management Research
Laboratory under the leadership of Jane Bare. In-house support for TRACI's development was provided
by the following EPA researchers: Teresa Hoagland, Patrick Hofstetter, and David Pennington.
Contractor support for developing TRACI was provided by researchers from Science Applications
International Corporation (SAIC) and Sylvatica. SAIC's efforts were lead by Alina Martin and Steven
Rolander. Key contractor support in producing TRACI was provided by the following staff: Greg
Norris of Sylvatica and Igor Bakhir, Chris Blankner, Marc Fuentebella, Barry Leopold, Dina Li, and
Kim Mihaliuk of SAIC. Additional model development was provided by the University of California
at Berkeley, under the direction of Tom McKone and Edgar Hertwich.
EPA appreciates and is grateful for the valuable assistance and thoughtful critiques provided by the
outside reviewers.
XI
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