I am new to USEtox, and am comparing different LCA methodologies and characterization factors. As far as the use of USEtox with the EU PEF rules, does the human toxicity impact category include ingestion of pesticide residue from foods treated with pesticides? This has key value for LCA comparisons of different agricultural production methods. Thank you for any insight. I did see the Fantke vision document on future updates to USEtox with damage modelling pathways for human health.
USEtox as from version 2 considers human toxicity impacts also via pesticide residues in harvested food crops for 6 crop archetypes, for which parmeterized models have been developed (wheat, paddy rice, tomato, apple, lettuce and potato). The underlying methodology is described in Fantke et al. 2016, based on the original model proposed in Fantke et al. 2011 and the model parameterization for the 6 crop archetypes described in Fantke et al. 2012. Further details can be found in the offical USEtox 2 Documentation.