Application of North European characterisation factors, population density and distance-to-coast grid data for refreshing the Swedish human toxicity and ecotoxicity footprint analysis

Abstract

Here, we develop further the national chemical footprint assessment methods using Sweden as an example to enhance the precision of calculations. First, we integrate grid data on population density and distance-to-seacoast into the analytical framework to better match the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register on the sub-compartment level with USEtox toxicity characterisation factors. Second, we use the latest USEtox 2.12 model version and its more punctual North European characterisation factors. Third, we conduct trend and geographic analysis and rank Swedish facilities in terms of toxicity potential. We show that total human toxicity potential in Sweden was smaller than previously estimated when using the North European USEtox landscape settings and sloped downwards over time. We confirm toxicity potential of major pollutants in previous research papers (Zn, Hg, Pb, Ni) and find that Hg’s relative human toxicity potential in a longer period can be larger than previously estimated on shorter periods. Human toxicity is estimated to be mostly non-cancer type in Sweden. Results are largely invariant to the choice of air sub-compartments. Companies in the metals manufacturing sector are estimated to have the largest human toxicity potential in Sweden in the period between 2001 and 2017 and companies in the paper manufacturing industry have the largest ecotoxicity potential.