Operationalising emission and toxicity modelling of pesticides in LCA: the OLCA-Pest project contribution

Abstract Purpose Current field emission modelling and toxicity characterisation of pesticides suffer from several shortcomings like mismatches between LCI databases LCIA methods, missing factors, environmental compartments, impact pathways. The OLCA-Pest project was implemented to address these aspects operationalise the assessment in LCA. Based on this effort, we propose an approach integrate pesticide emissions into databases. Methods PestLCI Consensus Model has been developed order estimate fractions different compartments. initial distribution should be linked compartments air, agricultural soil, natural freshwater. Emissions off-field surfaces are hereby distributed freshwater by using surface cover data. Deposition crop recorded compartment with 13 sub-compartments for archetypes both food non-food uses. Default provided calculate application scenarios. Results discussion A sensitivity analysis shows effects technique, drift reduction, development stage, width, buffer zone field-applied pesticides. Recommendations given implementation a set default databases, organisation metadata, residues along supply chain (processing, storage). Priorities further research are: improving secondary emissions, extending modeling (e.g. additional techniques, including crops), considering metal-based models, systematically assessing human health impacts associated crops. Conclusions proposed allows preserve mass balance emitted after application, make consistent ecotoxicity toxicity, define clear interface phases, based existing data, document metadata transparently efficiently within datasets, model removal during processing.