Freshwater consumption and domestic water deprivation in LCIA: revisiting the characterization of human health impacts

An insufficient amount of available domestic water can lead to an increase in the occurrence water-related diseases. No LCIA consensus has been reached on how model potential impacts human health resulting from use implying deprivation. Building Boulay et al. (2011), this research work provides updated and revisited characterization factors assessing impact induced along pathway. This consolidates cause-effect chain linking health. The revised fate factor aligns current assessment methods includes information not only physical scarcity but also level population access a region. global effect is revised. data source updated, novel approach developed estimating deficit. Country-scale exposure are building (2011)’s proposal rely gross national income per capita as proxy for country’s capacity adapt shortages. Compared show lower values result different methodological choices overall GNI capita, respectively. value equal 3.13E-3DALY/m3 which compares 3.11E-3 (2011). Revised (CF) range 0 DALY/m3 (the due null with respect deprivation) 3.13E-3 DALY/m3. distribution new CFs shows order magnitude decrease compared previous model. These assess consequences by leading short-term helps better account at endpoint level. However, it underlines significant limitations calculation factor, particular regarding quantification shortcomings prevent considering difference vulnerability damages deprivation 1 m3 water. argues additional efforts aimed developing alternative method factor.