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. 2024 Oct;56(10):737-746.
doi: 10.1055/a-2313-5142. Epub 2024 Apr 24.

The environmental impact of small-bowel capsule endoscopy

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Free article

The environmental impact of small-bowel capsule endoscopy

Mathieu Pioche et al. Endoscopy. 2024 Oct.
Free article

Abstract

Introduction: The environmental impact of endoscopy, including small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE), is a topic of growing attention and concern. This study aimed to evaluate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (kgCO2) generated by an SBCE procedure.

Methods: Life cycle assessment methodology (ISO 14040) was used to evaluate three brands of SBCE device and included emissions generated by patient travel, bowel preparation, capsule examination, and video recording. A survey of 87 physicians and 120 patients was conducted to obtain data on travel, activities undertaken during the procedure, and awareness of environmental impacts.

Results: The capsule itself (4 g) accounted for < 6 % of the total product weight. Packaging (43-119 g) accounted for 9 %-97 % of total weight, and included deactivation magnets (5 g [4 %-6 %]) and paper instructions (11-50 g [up to 40 %]). A full SBCE procedure generated approximately 20 kgCO2, with 0.04 kgCO2 (0.2 %) attributable to the capsule itself and 18 kgCO2 (94.7 %) generated by patient travel. Capsule retrieval using a dedicated device would add 0.98 kgCO2 to the carbon footprint. Capsule deconstruction revealed materials (e. g. neodymium) that are prohibited from environmental disposal; 76 % of patients were not aware of the illegal nature of capsule disposal via wastewater, and 63 % would have been willing to retrieve it. The carbon impact of data storage and capsule reading was negligible.

Conclusion: The carbon footprint of SBCE is mainly determined by patient travel. The capsule device itself has a relatively low carbon footprint. Given that disposal of capsule components via wastewater is illegal, retrieval of the capsule is necessary but would likely be associated with an increase in device-related emissions.

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Conflict of interest statement

M. Pioche is a consultant for Olympus and a trainer for Olympus, Pentax, Norgine, Boston, and Cook. X. Dray is co-founder and a shareholder of Augmented Endoscopy; he provides consultancy for Norgine and Provepharma, and lectures and demonstrations for Alfasigma, Bouchara Recordati, Fujifilm, Medtronic, Norgine, and Sandoz. E. Rodriguez de Santiago has had educational and advisory roles for Olympus, educational roles at Apollo Endosurgery and Norgine, and has received conference fees from Norgine and Casen.J.A. Cunha Neves, H. Pohl, M.-Q. Lê, R.Grau, C. Yzet, M. Mochet, J. Jacques, T. Wallenhorst, J. Rivory, N. Siret, A.-L. Peillet, J.-B. Chevaux, F. Mion, U. Chaput, P. Jacob, D. Grinberg, J.-C. Saurin, R. Baddeley, and P.-J. Cottinet declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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