ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S2734

Interdisciplinary - Global health

ESTRO 2024

Conclusion:

This article provides insight into the likely emission load from a radiation oncology setup. Once we are aware of the carbon footprint of our respective departments, there are several measures that we can take to reduce the same (Table 2). The radiation oncology community must take cognizance of these findings and work further toward reducing carbon emissions in their departmental workflow. This shall be our small but significant contribution towards making the world safer for future generations.

Table 2:- Suggested actionable points towards making green Radiation Oncology Department

Device

Suggested

Delete unused plans/image data sets Switch-off system at the end of day Switch-on only during use. Use hypo fractionated regimen

o

Treatment Planning System (TPS) and desktops

o

• •

LINAC/brachytherapy (Patient treatment)

CT/MRI for RT planning

Switch-on during use. Prefer regional scan

Process

Suggested

File transfers

Large files to be shared by USB ports rather than emails

Email

Delete redundant /old emails

WhatsApp communications

Keep disappearing messages feature on

Personnel

Suggested

Use public transport/Electric vehicles to commute. Consider carpooling, walk to work place or use bicycle

Staff and patients

Departmental Electrical systems

Suggested

Ceiling lights

Use motion sensor-based lighting

Continuously on only in Linac, rest areas, AC to be on depending on utility. Phase-out of fossil fuels, advocate use of clean, renewable energy for power generation

AC’s

Electricity generation

Keywords: Carbon footprint, Radiation Oncology

References:

1. Watts N, Amann M, Arnell N, et al. The 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: Responding to converging crises. Lancet 2021; 397:129–170

2. Atwoli L, Baqui AH, Benfield T, et al. Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health. Lancet 2021; 398:939–941

3. IPCC, 2022: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Peortner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. L€oschke, V. M€oller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press. United States Environmental Protection Agency.