Environmental sustainability in hospitals: Dual analysis of electrical consumption and pollutant emissions

Abstract

The emission of pollutants following electricity consumption is significant, and hospitals are major contributors to energy consumption. Hence, the aim of this study was a survey of electrical consumption rate and environmental pollutants emissions in selected hospitals. This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted over three years and based on electricity bills and bed indicators in selected hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Emissions Calculator software was used to calculate the emission of pollutants caused by electricity consumption. Kolmogorov Smirnov, Least Significant Difference (LSD), and one-way ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data. Results showed that the total average electricity consumption for each active day bed and occupied day bed was 9.6 and 13.6 times higher than the recommended standards. The average electricity consumption for each active day bed in hospitals A, B, and C was 13.7, 10.2, and 5 times higher than the standard value, respectively, while for occupied day beds, the consumption was 17.3, 15.1, and 8.5 times higher than the standard value, respectively. Additionally, the total electricity consumption in these hospitals resulted in the emission of 41837100 kg of CO2, 124815 kg of SO₂, 103699 kg of NOx, 9769 kg of CO, 4885 kg of PM₁₀, and 757 kg of VOCs into the environment. Based on the monthly active bed index and occupied day bed, there was a significant difference in the average electrical consumption among A, B, and C hospitals (p = 0.0001). Electricity consumption in the studied hospitals exceeds standards. Implementing optimal designs for lighting, heating, and cooling, along with energy optimization training, technical audits, and inspections are essential for both economic benefits and reducing environmental pollutants.