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Carbon footprint of a hemodialysis unit in Morocco
Author(s) -
Mtioui Naoufal,
Zamd Mohamed,
Ait Taleb Abdellah,
Bouaalam Abdellah,
Ramdani Benyounes
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
therapeutic apheresis and dialysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.415
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1744-9987
pISSN - 1744-9979
DOI - 10.1111/1744-9987.13607
Subject(s) - greenhouse gas , carbon footprint , medicine , hemodialysis , audit , population , renewable energy , unit (ring theory) , action plan , energy consumption , consumption (sociology) , environmental health , surgery , ecology , business , accounting , social science , mathematics education , mathematics , sociology , biology
Climate changes have a major influence on the overall health of the population. They are directly linked to the emissions of the greenhouse gases (GHG). The extent of GHG emission in relation to hemodialysis has been measured by several studies all over the world. Up to this date, no similar study has been conducted in Morocco. Therefore, the objective of our study is to conduct a review of the GHG emissions and to evaluate its specificities in order to establish a targeted action plan to reduce the ecological impact of hemodialysis in Morocco. To do this, we sought the help of a certified audit firm. Carbon Footprint tool (L'outil Bilan Carbon), established in Morocco in collaboration with Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, was used to analyze the results collected for the year 2019. Our unit (conventional hemodialysis 3 × 4 hours, 424 m 2 , 24 generators, 80 patients, and 29 nursing staff) generates 408.98 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent per year (t CO₂‐eq per year) or 5.11 TeqCO 2 per patient per year. The largest contributors to GHG emissions are electrical energy consumption (28%), equipment purchase and services (27%), and staff and patients travel (22%). The use of renewable energy for the operation of hemodialysis centers can be a realistic solution to reduce the ecological impact of this type of healthcare in Morocco.