"November 1992." Includes bibliographical references (pages 94-95).

Life-cycle assessment concept -- Brief history of life-cycle inventory analysis -- Overview of life-cycle assessment methodology -- Three components -- Identifying and setting boundaries for life-cycle stages -- Issues that apply to all stages -- Applications of an inventory analysis -- Format of this report -- Procedural framework for life-cycle inventory -- Define the purpose and scope of the inventory -- Private sector uses -- Public sector uses -- Study specificity -- Define the system boundaries -- Devise an inventory checklist. Institute a peer review process -- Gather data -- Identify subsystems -- Sources of data -- Develop stand-alone data -- Construct a computational model -- Present the results -- Interpret and communicate the results -- General issues in performing a life-cycle inventory -- Using templates in life-cycle inventory analysis -- Inputs in the product life-cycle inventory analysis -- Outputs of the product life-cycle inventory analysis -- Transportation -- Coproduct allocation -- Date issues -- Data quality -- Data time period -- Specific data versus composite data. Geographic specificity -- Technology mixes/energy types -- Data categories -- Routine/fugitive/accidental releases -- Special case boundary issues -- Capital equipment -- Personnel issues -- Improper waste disposal -- Issues applicable to specific life-cycle stages -- Raw materials acquisition stage -- Subsystem boundaries -- Specific assumptions and conventions -- Manufacturing stage -- Materials manufacture step -- Subsystem boundaries -- Specific assumptions and conventions -- Product fabrication step -- Subsystem boundaries -- Specific assumptions and conventions. Filling/packaging/distribution step -- Subsystem boundaries -- Specific assumptions and conventions -- Use/reuse/maintenance stage -- Subsystem boundaries -- Specific assumptions and conventions -- Recycle/waste management stage -- Subsystem boundaries -- Specific assumptions and conventions -- Clean Air Act (CAA) -- Clean Water Act (CWA) -- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) -- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) -- Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).