Social LCA case study of Autoliv's driver airbag system: Comparing life years saved by a driver airbag system with life years lost during its life cycle

Abstract

There are many indications that a system analysis tool to assess social impacts is urgently needed. Social life cycle assessment (S-LCA), which is inspired by the more well-known environmental life cycle assessment (E-LCA), has been suggested by some scholars. The thesis presents a specific S-LCA methodology to assess a driver airbag system made by the company Autoliv. The goal is to see whether the main objective of the driver airbag system, which is to save lives and prevent severe injuries, is justified. In order to compare this in a reasonable way, the thesis applies the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) indicator to compare life years saved by a driver airbag system with life years lost during its life cycle. Moreover, how to convert a variety of life cycle inventory data to the DALYs indicator is also discussed. The finals results show that the main objective of an Autoliv driver airbag system seem to be justified because the number of life years saved is larger than the number of life years lost. However, the dioxin emissions during the production of the screw components and the resistor components should be paid attention to, though the dioxin emission is not unique for the two components suppliers of Autoliv. Furthermore, after applying the UNEP/SETAC framework, it reveals that except for the prioritization suggestion and the four general steps included in both E-LCA and S-LCA, i.e. goal and scope, life cycle inventory analysis, life cycle impact assessment, and results and interpretation, the UNEP/SETAC framework could not guide much for the case study