Shrinking Radiology’s Carbon Footprint Starts with the Scan
Incorporating individual sustainability efforts leads to greater collective impact for patients, our planet
According to the study, over the course of a decade, the department’s inpatient, outpatient and emergency department services generated 4.6 kt carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)—that corresponds to the annual CO2 produced by about 1,100 gas-powered cars.
Energy consumption from clinical use of imaging equipment accounted for more than 50% of departmental greenhouse gas emissions, with MRI and CT equipment being the major emitters (2.2 and 1.1 kt CO2e, respectively).
Other notable contributors included the production of imaging equipment, production and use of picture archiving and communication system workstations, and linen production and laundering.
“What this means is that radiology has the unfortunate claim of being a top contributor to the health care sector’s carbon footprint,” said Diana Carver, MS, PhD, study co-author and medical physicist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.
It also means that radiology could inadvertently be putting patients’ health and well-being at risk. For example, the emissions produced by radiology contribute to global warming and extreme weather events, which in turn increase the distribution of vector-borne and heat-related illnesses.
“Because the health of our planet has a direct impact on the health and care of our patients, radiology has a responsibility to find ways to reduce our environmental impact,” said study co-author John Scheel, MD, PhD, MPH, professor in the Breast Imaging Section of the Department of Clinical Radiology and Radiological Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“Because the health of our planet has a direct impact on the health and care of our patients, radiology has a responsibility to find ways to reduce our environmental impact.”
– JOHN SCHEEL, MD, PhD, MPH
Shut it Down
One commonly suggested way radiologists can reduce their carbon footprint is to simply turn scanners off when they’re not being used. In fact, the RSNA Sustainability Task Force estimated that switching scanners off or to lower power states could substantially reduce carbon emissions—by 33% for MRI and as much as 80% for CT.
Departments can also look to reduce low-value imaging. “Up to half of all medical imaging provides little to no benefit to the patient,” Dr. Scheel explained.
By reducing such imaging, Dr. Scheel said radiology can simultaneously decrease its carbon footprint, the potential risks associated with unnecessary radiation, and related health care costs—not to mention providing the patient with a higher quality of care.
Make the Switch
Drs. Scheel and Carver recommended that departments consider switching to less energy intensive imaging tests, such as US or radiography. “When more than one imaging test is appropriate to answer a clinical question, imaging tests with lower emissions should be prioritized,” Dr. Scheel noted.
“Choosing the most appropriate imaging for both the diagnosis of disease and the patient is not necessarily a one-modality-fits-all approach,” Dr. Carver added. “More often than not, we’ll find that what’s best for the patient is also what’s best for the environment.”
Although pediatric radiology has already made this switch to protect children from unnecessary ionizing radiation, the practice has yet to be embraced in adult imaging. Dr. Scheel said this is partially because it requires skilled technologists to perform the exam and onsite radiologist support.
“Consider working with industry partners to develop software that can guide sonographers or CT/MRI technologists with less experience, either using AI or a virtual technologist with specialized experience,” Dr. Scheel recommended.
He also pointed out that because many MRI studies have sequences that are not useful to diagnose a patient, updating CT and MRI protocols to reduce the length of studies can decrease emissions and health care waste.
The Power of the Purse
While powering down machines, reducing low-value imaging and using less energy-intensive modalities can all help reduce a department’s overall emissions, it won’t fix the problem.
“We can’t solve climate change in a silo, we have to work with others,” Dr. Scheel explained.
Beneficial collaboration includes working with industry to develop less energy intensive machines and more environmentally friendly medical equipment such as biodegradable gloves and linens. It could also mean working together to implement onsite repair and refurbishing programs that keep imaging units up and running and out of the landfill.
“We must remember that radiology and health care systems are the customers and that we can leverage our collective purchasing power to shift the market towards more environmentally friendly products and practices,” Dr. Scheel said.
“If each of us takes steps to incorporate sustainability into our everyday practices, collectively, these steps will become a giant leap towards reducing our carbon footprint,” Dr. Carver concluded.
For More Information
Access the Radiology study, “Life Cycle Analysis and Sustainability Opportunities in Radiology,” and the related editorial.
Learn more about RSNA’s sustainability efforts.