Can anyone help me carbon footprint microbiology culture, microscopy and BBV testing? I found a useful paper on blood testing, but struggling to find anything on microbiology.
Carbon footprint of microbiology lab testing
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I would also love this information if anyone does know any resources
Public Health Wales did a project around sustainability in microbiology labs - I'm not sure you'll find the answers you need in this report, but it might lead you to more sources or contacts if you don't get a perfect answer from elsewhere: https://phwwhocc.co.uk/resources/addressing-single-use-plastic-and-wast…
you could try https://healthcarelca.com/database, but Matthew Sawyer posted recently in relation to another carbon foot printing query on BP monitoring:
"A couple of options. First is to use the Government GHG conversion factors for 'small electrical' which reports 5,647.9 kg CO2e/ tonne equipment. Average weight of a home BP monitor appears to be in the region of 250-500g (depending on the model), so roughly, (0.00025*5648) = 1.412kg CO2e to (0.0005*5648) = 2.824 kg CO2e. Alternatively, could dismantle one into its component parts, separate into each different material type, weigh and use the appropriate conversion factor based on material and sum them all together. Ive a tool for the latter if it helps."
I assume he was talking about the https://circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-footprint-database.html
The Government GHG conversion factors are updated and printed annually - 2024 version at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-con…
There's not an enormous amount of published data, I'm afraid. This paper includes MSU: McAlister, S., Grant, T. & McGain, F. An LCA of hospital pathology testing. Int J Life Cycle Assess 26, 1753–1763 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-021-01959-1. This paper includes swab culture: Diagnostic stewardship – Optimisation of superficial wound swab cultures can reduce the environmental impact of the microbiology laboratory. Callum Goolden and Robert J Shorten, 10 January 2025 https://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000977.v1
An LCA retrospective study of human clinical trials was conducted (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/2/e085364) where the trials were subdivided into different components. One of the components was "collection and processing of laboratory samples". There might be some disaggregated data that is relevant to your work. (Sorry. I was unable to insert hyperlink for article.)
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Hi, we actually have a whole group dedicated to this - it's called LabHabitat and is accessible through teams. If you're interested, I'd encourage contacting Tracy Evans at tracy.evans10@wales.nhs.uk
As it happens, I'm presenting at IBMS congress this September on our work making the PHW labs more sustainable if anyone is attending!