Research Sources & References
All assessments, priorities, and claims made across the LifecycleProducts methodology are grounded in peer-reviewed research, authoritative health organizations, and scientific consensus. This page provides a comprehensive list of sources organized by topic.
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Global Disease Burden & Environmental Health
"Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021"
Environmental risk factors and health impact assessment
Air quality and health impact assessment
Air Pollution & Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
"Inhalable Particulate Matter and Health (PM2.5 and PM10)"
Comprehensive PM2.5 health effects documentation
"Burden of Cause-Specific Mortality Associated With PM2.5 Air Pollution in the United States"
Microplastics
"Microplastics in Body: Polluted Tiny Plastic Fragments"
"Microplastics are everywhere — we need to understand how they affect human health"
"Potential Health Impact of Microplastics"
"Microplastics Everywhere"
"Impact of Microplastics on Human Health"
Lead Exposure
"Lead Exposure in Children"
"Lead Poisoning and Health"
"Lead Exposure In Children Affects Brain And Behavior"
"Neurotoxicity and Outcomes from Developmental Lead Exposure"
PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")
Comprehensive PFAS health and environmental impact data
"PFAS Health Effects"
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (BPA, Phthalates, Synthetic Fragrances)
Natural Resources Defense Council comprehensive guide
"The impact of perfumes and cosmetic products on human health: a narrative review"
"Synthetic Endocrine Disruptors in Fragranced Products"
"What are phthalates?"
"What Are 'Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals'?"
Flame Retardants
"Flame Retardants"
"Toxic comeback looms for upholstered furniture"
Comprehensive flame retardant impact analysis
"Flame Retardants in Furniture"
Environmental Impact & Climate
Livestock & Agricultural Emissions
"Accelerating climate solutions in agriculture: Why reducing methane from livestock is an urgent opportunity"
"Animal Agriculture Leads U.S Methane Emissions" — 36% of U.S. methane from animal agriculture
"Climate-Warming Methane Emissions from the World's Biggest Livestock Companies"
Food Waste
"Food loss and waste account for 8-10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions"
"Food waste makes up 'half' of global food system emissions"
"Food Waste and its Links to Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change"
"Food waste is responsible for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions"
Electronics & E-Waste
"53% jump in e-waste greenhouse gas emissions between 2014, 2020"
"The Growing Environmental Risks of E-Waste"
"Climate change implications of electronic waste: strategies for sustainable management"
Plastic Pollution
"How Single Use Plastics Hurt Our Oceans and Warm Our Planet"
"The world's plastic pollution crisis, explained"
"A Guide to Plastic in the Ocean"
40% of all plastic produced is single-use
Ultra-Processed Foods
"Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses"
"Are Ultraprocessed Foods Bad for Your Health?"
"What doctors wish patients knew about ultraprocessed foods"
"Ultra-processed foods linked to increased cancer risk, diabetes, and heart disease"
"Spotlight on UPFs: NIH explores link between ultra-processed foods and heart disease"
Lifecycle Assessment Methodology
"How Bad Are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything" — Order-of-magnitude assessment framework that inspired our methodology
International standards for lifecycle assessment (LCA)
Lifecycle inventory data for products and processes
Environmental product lifecycle data
Standards, Certifications & Databases
Global warming potential (GWP) calculations and climate science
Greenhouse gas equivalencies, environmental standards, and health guidance
Health impact data, exposure guidelines, and disease burden assessments
About Our Research Standards
LifecycleProducts methodology is built on peer-reviewed scientific literature, WHO/CDC reports, and established epidemiological studies with large sample sizes. We prioritize research from institutions with rigorous standards and transparent methodologies over anecdotal claims.
All priority categories and environmental impact assessments reflect current scientific consensus about the most significant and prevalent health and environmental impacts from consumer products and lifestyle choices.