Measuring the Environmental Impact of MRI and CT: A Life Cycle Assessment.

Diana E Carver, Sumit Pruthi, Olesya Struk, Marta Vigil-Garcia, Cecilia Meijer, Josephine Gehrels, Reed A Omary, John R Scheel, Cassandra L Thiel
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Abstract

Objective: To assess the environmental impact of magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging using life cycle assessment (LCA), focusing on energy use, resource consumption, and emissions.

Methods: This ISO 14040-guided LCA-based study focused on MRI and CT services, including the production and use of three MRI and four CT scanners, at a quaternary care 800-bed academic medical center in the Southeastern USA over a one-year period. Data were collected through direct observation, record review, staff interviews, and energy metering. Environmental impacts were assessed using SimaPro 9.3.0.2 and the Ecoinvent v3.8 database.

Results: MRI and CT services at this site generate an estimated 221 and 108 tons of CO2e per year, respectively. This is equivalent to the emissions of 52 (MRI) and 25 (CT) cars driven annually. Energy consumption accounted for the largest portion of emissions (58% for MRI, 33% for CT), followed by disposable supplies (26% for MRI, 16% for CT), capital equipment production (7% for MRI, 13% for CT), and linens (4% for MRI, 11% for CT). Switching to solar photovoltaic electricity could reduce total MRI emissions by 70% and CT emissions by 40%, increasing the relative impacts of scanner production, disposable supplies, and linens.

Discussion: This study highlights the significant environmental impact of MRI and CT services, particularly energy consumption. Renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaics, offer the greatest potential for mitigating the environmental footprint. Additional strategies include optimizing scanner utilization, adopting reusable or reprocessable supplies, and embracing circular business practices such as circular manufacturing and extending the lifespan of capital equipment.

测量MRI和CT对环境的影响:生命周期评估。
目的:利用生命周期评估(LCA)评估磁共振(MR)和计算机断层扫描(CT)成像对环境的影响,重点关注能源使用、资源消耗和排放。方法:这项以ISO 14040为指导的基于lca的研究侧重于MRI和CT服务,包括在美国东南部一家拥有800个床位的学术医疗中心生产和使用3台MRI和4台CT扫描仪,为期一年。通过直接观察、记录审查、员工访谈和能源计量收集数据。环境影响评估使用SimaPro 9.3.0.2和Ecoinvent v3.8数据库。结果:该站点的MRI和CT服务估计每年分别产生221吨和108吨二氧化碳当量。这相当于每年52辆(核磁共振)和25辆(CT)汽车的排放量。能源消耗占排放量的最大部分(MRI为58%,CT为33%),其次是一次性用品(MRI为26%,CT为16%),资本设备生产(MRI为7%,CT为13%)和亚麻制品(MRI为4%,CT为11%)。转换为太阳能光伏发电可以减少70%的MRI排放和40%的CT排放,增加扫描仪生产、一次性用品和亚麻布的相对影响。讨论:本研究强调了MRI和CT服务对环境的重大影响,特别是能源消耗。可再生能源,如太阳能光伏发电,为减轻环境足迹提供了最大的潜力。其他策略包括优化扫描仪利用率,采用可重复使用或可再处理的耗材,以及采用循环商业实践,如循环制造和延长资本设备的使用寿命。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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