A multi-attribute utility model for environmental decision-making: an application to casting

Abstract

It is a well-known fact among environmental researchers that the casting process presents challenges to those entrusted with protecting the environment. Prior studies suggested models for health risk assessment that offered alternatives to help lower toxic emissions. Limitations were encountered when those alternatives were discussed for their acceptability in the pouring, cooling and shakeout stages of the casting process. The current study proposes to enrich the relevancy of these previous models to decision-makers by incorporating technical and economic attributes of interest to the manufacturer. The enhanced model uses a multi-attribute utility function to minimize toxic emission while controlling for technical and economic constraints. Under policy limitations, the model was complemented with a human factor as an uncertain belief encompassing partiality of the expert’s judgment or the stakeholder’s preference. The results of a simulation used for illustration purpose were encouraging to the usefulness of the proposed model. The sensitivity to variable scenarios accounting for environmental pollutants proved to build a consensus around potential alternatives.