Chlorine in the Netherlands, Part II: Risk Management in Uncertainty for Chlorine

Abstract

Summary The debate over chlorine in industrialized economies has become extremely polarized in the last decade. Environmental pressure groups are striving for a virtual phaseout of chlorine and chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs), because they are convinced that the risks cannot be managed. Industry argues this is not necessary because environmental risks can be controlled, nor is it feasible, because at least 60% of all firms use CHCs, produds made with CHCs, or elemental chlorine. In an attempt to give this discussion a more factual basis, the Dutch minister of environment launched a strategic study on chlorine (see Kleijn et al. I997;Tukker et al. 1995). Using all available knowledge about emissions and contemporary evaluation methods, the study found only a limited number of environmental issues outstanding related to the chlorine chain: however, it also found important uncertainties. This article describes the outstanding uncertainties in more detail. It defines which uncertainties have to be regarded as chlorine‐specific and the extent to which additional research can resolve them. For the remaining uncertainties the potential benefts of uncertainty reduction strategies are evaluted, relying mainly on the precautionary principle

Combining SFA and LCA

“…That study used an approach that combined substance flow analysis (SFA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) (see Kleijn et al 1997;Tukker et al 1997b). The overall goal was to use this hybrid SFA/LCA method to put the complex PVC debate, where possible, on sound scientific footing.…”

Chlorine terrifies us too frequently

“…Není to tedy zdaleka jen problém České republiky, ale všech průmyslově vyspělých zemí na celém světě. K haváriím spojeným s únikem chloru může docházet a také dochází při jeho výrobě, přepravě i použití (Tukker et al, 1997…”

Data Cubes and Matrix Formulae for Convenient Handling of Physical Flow Data

“…Many investigations have focused on how metals enter consumer products and construction materials and are subsequently emitted to the biosphere in substantial amounts (Ayres and Rod 1986;Anderberg et al 1989;Bergbäck et al 1994;Palm et al 1995;Moolenaar and Lexmond 1998;Moolenaar 1999). The cycling of chlorine and nitrogen and the physical aspects of substance flows have also received considerable attention (Kleijn et al 1994Van der Voet et al 1996a,b;Ayres 1997Ayres , 1998aAyres 1997, 1999;Tukker et al 1997;Hüttler et al 1999;Burström 1999).…”