Skip to main content

Excess Greenhouse Gas Emissions Linked to Inappropriate Imaging

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 11, 2025.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, April 11, 2025 -- Substantial excess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions result from inappropriate imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), according to a study published online March 27 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Gregory Cavanagh, M.D., from Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, and colleagues estimated excess GHG emissions associated with inappropriate imaging in metric kilotons (kT) of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) from the Medicare Part B population. Low-end and high-end estimates of average yearly GHG emissions from inappropriate examinations were modeled for MRI, CT, radiography, and ultrasound.

The researchers noted that 4 to 26 percent of all imaging was estimated as inappropriate. During the entire five-year period, total inappropriate Medicare imaging examinations were estimated to have produced an average of 3.55 to 129.2 kT CO2e per year, with MRI and CT accounting for the greatest proportion (0.621 to 33.8 kT and 1.24 to 64.8 kT, respectively); 3.55 to 129.2 kT CO2e approximated to the GHG produced by the annual electricity of a town of 2,000 to 72,000 people.

“Increasing adherence to appropriateness criteria using clinical decision support software or an incentive program are two examples of concrete actions to encourage appropriate image ordering,” the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted April 2025

Read this next

Persistent, New Mucus Plugs Associated With Faster Decline in FEV1 in COPD

WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2025 -- For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), persistent and newly formed mucus plugs are associated with a faster decrease in forced...

Combinations of Chronic, Physical Illnesses Up the Risk of Subsequent Depression

WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2025 -- Certain groups of physical multimorbidity may be associated with a higher risk of subsequent depression, according to a study published online May 13...

Adding Team Therapist Reduces Burnout for Critical Care Nurses

TUESDAY, May 20, 2025 -- For nurses in critical care areas, adding a team therapist can reduce burnout and improve resilience, according to a study presented at the American...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.