The CLiCC Tool

CLiCC's four modules ask a user to provide well-defined inputs describing chemicals or scenarios. The CLiCC user can then build a parametric life cycle assessment (LCA) model for a particular chemical or material, from raw materials extraction to end-of- life management. The tool allows users to test various design choices and estimate life-cycle impacts of a particular chemical or material at an early stage of product design.

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A Screening Level module quickly provides users with general chemical information and information needed to complete Safety Data Sheets.
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A Life Cycle Assessment module provides access to customizable life-cycle inventory databases for organic chemicals.

  • Life Cycle Inventory Estimate: Uses as little input as possible to estimate the range of raw material and energy inputs necessary for chemical synthesis and separation, as well as the outputs of the reaction process (including product, by-products, and waste streams). A Predictive Life Cycle Impact module uses Artificial Neural Networks to relate chemical structures to LCI values when users are unable to provide data necessary for the parent LCI module.

  • Life Cycle Impacts: Predicts the chemical characteristics and environmental impacts of certain chemicals when experimental values are not available. This module uses existing and CLiCC-developed QSAR models.

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A Risk Assessment module predicts scenarios of risks posed to humans and the biosphere through spill simulations.

  • Chemical Release: Estimates chemical releases from various consumer applications into the air, water, wastewater and soil. This module builds and extends on existing chemical use databases, using algorithms to predict likely consumer uses and environmental release routes, and estimate the range of released amounts for various chemical use scenarios.

  • Specific Environmental Concentrations: Forecasts environmental concentrations resulting from chemical release using a multimedia fate and transport model.

  • Risk Posed to Humans and Ecology: Translates estimated chemical concentrations into potential doses to humans and biota through various exposure routes such as inhalation and dermal absorption. The human health risk assessment provides an estimate and probability of adverse health effects (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) through multiple exposure routes including ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. The ecological portion of the risk assessment is an evaluation of the likelihood that a specific environment will be negatively impacted as a result of exposure to individual chemicals.

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An Uncertainty Assessment module aggregates uncertainty for the Life Cycle Assessment and Risk Assessment modules.