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Inhalation anaesthetics and climate change
M P Sulbaek Andersen1, S P Sander, O J Nielsen
1Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Mail Stop 183-901, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA. mads@sulbaek.dk
British Journal of Anaesthesia
|October 12, 2010
Summary
Inhalation anesthetics like isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane significantly contribute to climate change. Their global warming potentials (GWPs) are substantial, comparable to emissions from power plants or cars.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Climate Change Research
Background:
- Rising atmospheric CO2 is a primary driver of climate change, but numerous other agents contribute to radiative forcing.
- Inhalation anesthetics such as isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane are emitted during medical procedures and impact climate.
- Quantifying their climate impact requires understanding their infrared absorption properties and atmospheric lifetimes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess the climate impact of common inhalation anesthetics.
- To determine the radiative forcing contribution of isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane.
- To calculate the Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) for these anesthetic agents.
Main Methods:
- Infrared (IR) spectra of isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane were measured.
- Calculations were performed to determine their radiative forcing, considering wavelength-dependent absorption.
- Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) were established for a 100-year time horizon.
Main Results:
- Radiative efficiencies were determined: 0.453 W m(-2) ppb(-1) for isoflurane, 0.469 W m(-2) ppb(-1) for desflurane, and 0.351 W m(-2) ppb(-1) for sevoflurane.
- 100-year GWPs were calculated: 510 for isoflurane, 1620 for desflurane, and 210 for sevoflurane.
- These values highlight significant climate impacts per anesthetic agent.
Conclusions:
- The average climate impact of one anesthetic procedure is equivalent to approximately 22 kg of CO2.
- Global emissions of these anesthetics have a climate impact comparable to CO2 emissions from a coal-fired power plant or one million cars.
- Reducing anesthetic emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change.
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