The carbon footprints of home and in-center peritoneal dialysis in China

Chen, M., Zhou, R., Du, C. et al. Int Urol Nephrol (2016). doi:10.1007/s11255-016-1418-5

This study aimed to determine the carbon footprints of peritoneal dialysis (PD) with the different modalities and treatment regimes.

68 subjects receiving PD treatment were enrolled. Emissions factors were applied to data that were collected for energy consumption, travel, and procurement.

Results: The carbon footprints generated by the provision of PD treatment for the individual patient were calculated and normalized to a 2-l PD dialysate volume. The fixed emissions were higher in patients who received PD therapy in center than at home, mostly attributing to the consumption of electricity. Conversely, PD treatment performed in center yielded less variable emissions than that of at home, which resulted from reduced constituent percentage of waste disposal and transportation. Collectively, packaging consumption mostly contributed to the total carbon footprints of PD.