The production of electrical and electronic equipment from the industrial sector has a definite effect on the environment. The life cycle of these manufactured products (raw material extraction, transport, use) alters, among other things, air quality with a more or less significant environmental impact. The environmental assessment of each piece of electrical and electronic equipment must be a priority in order to reduce air pollution as much as possible over its life cycle. At Qweeko, we carry out the LCA of each product using air impact indicators: contribution to the greenhouse effect, air acidification, tropospheric ozone formation, ozone layer depletion, particulates and respiratory effects of inorganic substances. Let us go into detail.
A major impact on the climate: greenhouse gas emissions in the air
The presence of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere plays a decisive role in regulating the climate. These GHGs retain a large part of solar energy: this retention characterises the greenhouse effect. Without this natural greenhouse effect, the Earth's temperature would be around -18 °C; thanks to this phenomenon, it is 15 °C.
However, the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil or natural gas drives up the concentration of these GHGs in the atmosphere. The higher the GHG level, the greater the air pollution and thus the warming of the climate. These include, among others:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2), a natural GHG created in large quantities by certain human activities in petrochemicals and steelmaking. CO2 remains, at more than 50%, the main contributor to the greenhouse effect.
- Nitrous oxide, a natural GHG from the combustion of fossil fuels for heating and transport. Its warming power is 298 times that of CO2, and its lifetime in the atmosphere is 120 years.
- Fluorinated gases (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, PFCs, etc.), used in cooling systems, as solvents (cleaning electronic components) or in aluminium production.
- Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a leak-detection gas used in electrical insulation.
Environmental impacts: air acidification
The release of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrochloric acid and ammonia into the atmosphere causes air pollution in the form of acidification. In the presence of moisture, these gases turn into acids. The source of acid rain, they contribute to lowering the pH of soils, rivers and lakes. A lower pH leads to soil degradation, an imbalance of ecosystems and the disappearance of certain plant species. This pollution mainly comes from the use of sulphur-based fuels (fuel oil, diesel, lignite, petroleum coke) and from industrial processes.
Air pollution from tropospheric ozone
Tropospheric ozone forms in the lower atmosphere, where we live. It is a highly irritating and highly reactive pollutant gas, harmful to human health, as it easily penetrates the respiratory tract. It also contributes to increasing the greenhouse effect. Ozone forms from nitrogen dioxide (emitted by vehicle exhausts or incinerators) under the effect of UV. During a pollution episode, it is advisable to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).
Ozone layer depletion
The ozone layer depletion impact indicator reflects the level of air pollution. This depletion results from the reaction between ozone and ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Released into the atmosphere, these substances break down under the effect of UV rays, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms that accelerate the destruction of the ozone layer.
CFCs used to be found in many products whose sale has been banned since the late 1980s: certain air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, industrial cleaning solvents, aerosol cans, fire extinguishers. The consequences for human and animal health and for the environment are vast: the increase in UV rays can, over time, cause skin cancers, a weakening of the immune system, and the disruption of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Air pollution: fine particles and respiratory effects
Among atmospheric pollutants are fine particles of very small diameter. This type of pollutant is particularly harmful to human health: inhaling it can cause respiratory conditions and irritations, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. These suspended dusts (PM) are also responsible for the soiling found on buildings. The culprits are nitrogen oxides, whose emissions mainly come from combustion (heating, electricity generation, combustion engines, etc.).
These environmental indicators are essential tools for studying, analysing and reducing the impact of industrial production on the environment, the climate and health. Repeating the process of measuring these indicators enables the growing identification of reduction levers. In this way, the electrical and electronic equipment sector can, over the long term, consider restricting its environmental impact as a whole.