Acidification potential
Acidification potential refers to the amount that different compounds contribute to acid rain. This includes sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (N2O), as well as a variety of other substances.
Acidification potential is one of the core environmental impact indicators of EN 15804:2012+A2:2019/AC:2021, which is used as guidance in the generation of the lifecycle assessment (LCA) methodology used to create product environmental footprints (PEF). It is also considered one of the mandatory environmental performance indicators for the calculation, assessment and generation of environmental product declarations (EPDs).
In the same way that the global warming potential (GWP) of different pollutants are converted to ratios (for example CO2 being 1:1 CO2 eq and Methane being 36.8 CO2 eq) Acidification potential is usually estimated in the same way but as a characterisation of SO2-equivalence. For example:
- 1 kg ammonia = 1.88 kg SO2 eq.
- 1 kg nitrogen dioxide = 0.7 kg SO2 eq.
- 1 kg sulphur dioxide = 1 kg SO2 eq.
References; AP, accumulated excedence, EN 15804. Version: August 2021. Seppälä et al. 2006, Posch et al. 2008
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Eutrophication potential EP.
- Green Guide to Specification.
- Life cycle assessment.
- Material procurement.
- Product carbon footprint PCF.
- Product Category Rules.
- Product Environmental Footprint PEF
- Product Category Rules.
- Product Environmental Footprint PEF
- Responsible sourcing of construction products.
- Sustainable development.
- Sustainable materials for construction.
- Types of water.
- Water consumption.
- Water resources.
- Water.
- Whole life costs.
Featured articles and news
Ministers to unleash biggest building boom in half a century
50 major infrastructure projects, 5 billion for housing and 1.5 million homes.
RIBA Principal Designer Practice Note published
With key descriptions, best practice examples and FAQs, with supporting template resources.
Electrical businesses brace for project delays in 2025
BEB survey reveals over half worried about impact of delays.
Accelerating the remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding in England
The government publishes its Remediation Acceleration Plan.
Airtightness in raised access plenum floors
New testing guidance from BSRIA out now.
Picking up the hard hat on site or not
Common factors preventing workers using head protection and how to solve them.
Building trust with customers through endorsed trades
Commitment to quality demonstrated through government endorsed scheme.
New guidance for preparing structural submissions for Gateways 2 and 3
Published by the The Institution of Structural Engineers.
CIOB launches global mental health survey
To address the silent mental health crisis in construction.
New categories in sustainability, health and safety, and emerging talent.
Key takeaways from the BSRIA Briefing 2024
Not just waiting for Net Zero, but driving it.
The ISO answer to what is a digital twin
Talking about digital twins in a more consistent manner.
Top tips and risks to look out for.
New Code of Practice for fire and escape door hardware
Published by GAI and DHF.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, retrofit measures and the roles involved.
New alliance will tackle skills shortage in greater Manchester
The pioneering Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance.