Harmonizing Diagnostic Ultrasound Practice with Environmental Sustainability: A Life Cycle Assessment of Diagnostic Ultrasound in a Single Adult University Hospital

The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental impacts of ultrasound modality operations within the larger radiology department to find areas in which sustainability efforts may have the largest impact.

Life cycle assessment of the ultrasound section of a large academic hospital serving adult inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department patients was performed. In addition to assessing the energy use of ultrasound units themselves, this study included assessment of the carbon footprint and environmental impact of ultrasound unit production and disposal, ultrasound examination supplies like ultrasound gel and linens, and the data storage and imaging interpretation equipment.

Unlike other imaging modalities, linens (35%; 5.5/17.0 metric tons CO2e) and disposable supplies (34%; 5.5 out of 17.0 t CO2e) accounted for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, while production (7%; 1.1 out of 17.0 metric tons CO2e) and energy use (3%; 0.5 out of 17.0 metric tons CO2e) of the ultrasound machine were minor contributions to the carbon footprint of ultrasound. Gloves and ultrasound gel were the largest contributors to the carbon footprint among the single-use supplies.

Ultrasound is a unique imaging modality in that the major environmental impacts come not from the modality use and production itself, but rather from the use of supplies needed to perform the examination. Giving the increasing use of ultrasound worldwide, focus on minimizing and optimizing the use of linens, gel, and other supplies can have a significant impact on the global carbon footprint of radiology departments. Strategies to reduce and optimize the use of supplies, in accordance with the principles of circularity, should be explored in future research.