Life cycle assessments (LCAs) | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

What is the first step in the life cycle of a product?

• disposal

• processing raw materials

• obtaining raw materials

• manufacturing

• use of product

Answer explanation

The first step in a life cycle of a product is obtaining the raw materials.

What key term means to carry something out over a long period of time with little or no negative impact on the environment?

Answer explanation

Sustainable means to carry something out over a long period of time with little or no negative impact on the environment.

Which of the following can be revealed by a life cycle assessment (LCA)?

• the weight of the product

• the marketing strategy for the product

• the financial cost of manufacturing a product

• the people who benefit from each stage of a product’s life

Answer explanation

A LCA can reveal the people who benefit from each stage of a product’s life.

What is one of the main purposes of conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA)?

• to find new markets for the product

• to understand the environmental impact at each stage of a product’s life

• to determine the shelf life of the product

• to estimate the resale value of the product

Answer explanation

A life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to understand the environmental impact at each stage of a product’s life.

What is a potential limitation of using LCAs for decision-making?

• they only consider the environmental impact on animals

• they only focus on short-term costs

• they can be subjective

• they are too expensive to conduct

Answer explanation

A limitation of using LCAs for decision making is that some aspects of them can be subjective.

Why is it important to consider vested interests when reviewing the findings of an LCA?

• LCAs are always conducted by neutral parties

• the results can be biased based on who conducted the LCA

• LCAs are purely objective

• LCAs only consider economic factors

Answer explanation

It is important to consider vested interests when reviewing the findings of an LCA because the results can be biased based on who conducted the LCA.