From ESS to L-ESS waste in the operating room

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Rhinology
• Climate Change Impacts

Background:

• Climate change exacerbates global health issues, notably affecting rhinology.
• Increased pollen seasons and plant migration due to climate change are linked to rising allergic rhinitis prevalence.
• Chronic rhinosinusitis is impacted by air pollution and pathogen spread, influenced by climate shifts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the growing impact of climate change on rhinology.
• To identify healthcare's contribution to climate change, focusing on operating rooms.
• To discuss the environmental burden of surgical practices.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on climate change effects in rhinology.
• Analysis of factors contributing to allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis.
• Examination of healthcare's environmental footprint, specifically operating room energy consumption and waste.

Main Results:

• Climate change intensifies pollen seasons, increasing allergic rhinitis risk.
• Air pollution and pathogen dynamics related to climate change affect chronic rhinosinusitis.
• Operating rooms are significant carbon emission sources due to energy use and potent anesthetic gases.
• Operating rooms generate substantial hospital waste, estimated at up to 33%.

Conclusions:

• Urgent attention is needed to address climate change's detrimental effects on rhinology and global health.
• Healthcare systems must mitigate their environmental impact, especially within high-consumption areas like operating rooms.
• Sustainable practices in healthcare are crucial to combat climate change and protect patient health.