Estimation of carbon footprint in nuclear medicine: illustration of a french department

Abstract

Purpose

In order to limit climate changes, we need to reduce the carbon footprint of human activities, including those due to health systems. We performed an estimation of the carbon footprint of our nuclear medicine department using a methodology developed with the help of a specialized consulting firm.

Methods

The estimate of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions comprises direct and indirect emissions. Direct emissions are due to fuels consumption (by the hospital and by hospital’s vehicles), refrigerant leaks and impact of buildings on biomass (land use change). Indirect emissions include upstream and downstream emissions. Upstream emissions are linked to electricity and heating consumption, transport of merchandises, transport of patients and employees, business travels, purchases, and fixed assets. Downstream emissions are due to usage and disposal of manufactured products created by the hospital. Different GHGs (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O…) each have a different global warming potential. To aggregate all GHG emissions, the results were expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

Results

In 2022, 13,303 diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were performed in our department, for an estimated carbon footprint reaching 772 tons of CO2 equivalent. Transport of people accounts for 67% of total emissions. Purchases are responsible for 14% of total emissions, of which 11.8% are due to radiotracers supply. Energy consumption accounts for 6.9% of total emissions. Imaging devices (2 PET/CT, 2 SPECT/CT and 1 cardiac imaging dedicated CZT camera) account for 5.5% of emissions.

Conclusion

Our emissions are mainly due to indirect emission which is a common result in tertiary sector.