Analyzing the Carbon Footprint of an Intravitreal Injection
Abstract Purpose: To estimate the carbon footprint of a single intravitreal injection in a hospital-based intravitreal service. Methods: Greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the delivery of an intravitreal injection were calculated using a hybrid lifecycle analysis technique. Data were collected...
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.18502/jovr.v16i3.9433 |
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doaj-94e58e5aba96451b97cc0d451081030f2021-08-04T06:23:02ZengKnowledge EJournal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research2008-20102008-322X2021-07-0116336737610.18502/jovr.v16i3.9433jovr.v16i3.9433Analyzing the Carbon Footprint of an Intravitreal InjectionBarry Power0Robert Brady1Paul Connell2 Vitreoretinal Department, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland Vitreoretinal Department, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland Vitreoretinal Department, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, IrelandAbstract Purpose: To estimate the carbon footprint of a single intravitreal injection in a hospital-based intravitreal service. Methods: Greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the delivery of an intravitreal injection were calculated using a hybrid lifecycle analysis technique. Data were collected regarding procurement of materials, patient travel, and building energy use. Results: Carbon emissions associated with a single intravitreal injection, excluding the anti-VEGF agent, were 13.68 kg CO 2 eq. This equates to 82,100 kg CO 2 eq annually for our service. Patient travel accounted for the majority of emissions at 77%, with procurement accounting 19% for and building energy usage for 4% of total emissions. The omission of items considered dispensable from injection packs would reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 0.56 kg per injection – an annual saving of 3,360 kg CO 2 eq for our service. Similar savings, if extrapolated to a country the size of the United Kingdom, could yield annual carbon savings of 450,000 kg CO 2 eq. For context, a single one-way economy transatlantic flight produces 480 kg CO 2 eq per person. Conclusion: Wasteful practice in healthcare increases greenhouse gas production and drives climate change. The healthcare sector should be a leader in sustainable practice promotion and changes to high volume procedures have the largest impact on emissions. Long-acting agents offer the greatest future potential for meaningful reductions.https://doi.org/10.18502/jovr.v16i3.9433anti-vegfclimate changemedical retinasustainability |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Barry Power Robert Brady Paul Connell |
spellingShingle |
Barry Power Robert Brady Paul Connell Analyzing the Carbon Footprint of an Intravitreal Injection Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research anti-vegf climate change medical retina sustainability |
author_facet |
Barry Power Robert Brady Paul Connell |
author_sort |
Barry Power |
title |
Analyzing the Carbon Footprint of an Intravitreal Injection |
title_short |
Analyzing the Carbon Footprint of an Intravitreal Injection |
title_full |
Analyzing the Carbon Footprint of an Intravitreal Injection |
title_fullStr |
Analyzing the Carbon Footprint of an Intravitreal Injection |
title_full_unstemmed |
Analyzing the Carbon Footprint of an Intravitreal Injection |
title_sort |
analyzing the carbon footprint of an intravitreal injection |
publisher |
Knowledge E |
series |
Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research |
issn |
2008-2010 2008-322X |
publishDate |
2021-07-01 |
description |
Abstract Purpose: To estimate the carbon footprint of a single intravitreal injection in a hospital-based intravitreal service. Methods: Greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the delivery of an intravitreal injection were calculated using a hybrid lifecycle analysis technique. Data were collected regarding procurement of materials, patient travel, and building energy use. Results: Carbon emissions associated with a single intravitreal injection, excluding the anti-VEGF agent, were 13.68 kg CO 2 eq. This equates to 82,100 kg CO 2 eq annually for our service. Patient travel accounted for the majority of emissions at 77%, with procurement accounting 19% for and building energy usage for 4% of total emissions. The omission of items considered dispensable from injection packs would reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 0.56 kg per injection – an annual saving of 3,360 kg CO 2 eq for our service. Similar savings, if extrapolated to a country the size of the United Kingdom, could yield annual carbon savings of 450,000 kg CO 2 eq. For context, a single one-way economy transatlantic flight produces 480 kg CO 2 eq per person. Conclusion: Wasteful practice in healthcare increases greenhouse gas production and drives climate change. The healthcare sector should be a leader in sustainable practice promotion and changes to high volume procedures have the largest impact on emissions. Long-acting agents offer the greatest future potential for meaningful reductions. |
topic |
anti-vegf climate change medical retina sustainability |
url |
https://doi.org/10.18502/jovr.v16i3.9433 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT barrypower analyzingthecarbonfootprintofanintravitrealinjection AT robertbrady analyzingthecarbonfootprintofanintravitrealinjection AT paulconnell analyzingthecarbonfootprintofanintravitrealinjection |
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