A new methodology to calculate the environmental protection index ( Ep). A case study applied to a company producing composite materials

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2004-12, Vol.73 (4), p.275-284
• Main Authors: Siracusa, G., La Rosa, A.D., Sterlini, S.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Case studies; Certification; Chemical Industry; Composite materials; Conservation of Natural Resources; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Environmental certification; Environmental impact; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Environmental Pollutants - poisoning; Environmental protection index; Forecasting; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Interaction matrix methodology; Models, Theoretical; Pollution; Pollution risk; Polymers; Risk Assessment; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2004.04.006

Environmental indicators can be used as a first stage in progress towards comprehensive environmental impact measures [J. Environ. Manage 65/3 (2002) 285]. In this article, we develop a ‘pollutant interaction matrix method’ that allows calculation of a global environmental protection index ( E p) in order to verify the eco-compatibility of an industrial activity. Two methods are proposed for the E p index evaluation (which represents the numerical measure of the environmental sustainability): the Direct Method ( E p d ) and the Weighted Method ( E p w ). Both methods need to define, in the whole industrial process, homogeneous sectors (defined as construction sites where activities of the same type are carried out). Furthermore, for each activity a set of parameters ( t, duration of pollution effect, P, quantity of pollutant produced, G, hazard of the pollutant) are required to evaluate the relative pollution index Y. All indices calculations were carried out using a set of matrices. The correct use of E p evaluation provides an improvement in the total environmental performance of companies because it points out possible critical operations in each homogeneous sector which require solutions. The methodology is applied to evaluate the environmental pollution risk of a company that produces polymer materials and to improve their environmental performance. The results obtained show that the whole productive process has a low environmental impact factor. Nevertheless the applied methodology puts in evidence some processes that generate local pollution in specific areas of the factory and which could be dangerous for the workers' health.