The cosmetic surgery sector is witnessing remarkable growth, contributing to the global economy. However, environmental concerns related to this sector have increased, as cosmetic surgeries have become one of the causes of negative environmental impacts, especially in light of the global challenges related to climate change.
Cosmetic operating rooms in hospitals are among the most resource-intensive places, producing large amounts of waste and carbon emissions, which contribute to the exacerbation of the climate change crisis and the environmental problems facing communities around the world.
In the following lines, "Green in Arabic" sheds light on the dark side of plastic surgery rooms, to curb negative practices that threaten the environment and climate, and to search for more sustainable ways to balance healthcare needs with environmental conservation.
Plastic surgery practices contribute between 20% and 30% of the waste generated in the entire medical sector, which is a large percentage considering how much this small specialty represents in the entire medical sector.
Plastic surgery and climate change
الأكثر قراءة
Cosmetic operating rooms consume large amounts of energy for heating and ventilation, a consumption that is 3 to 6 times greater than that of other departments in the medical sector, leading to a high carbon footprint and exacerbating the phenomenon of global warming, according to research published in the National Library of Medicine.
For example, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation surgeries produce about 6 million kg of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to the emissions of a car that travels more than 17 million miles. This is due to the high energy consumption and reliance on electrical appliances.
How does medical waste affect environmental pollution?
Medical waste, such as gauze, gloves, and other disposable supplies, contributes to increased environmental and climate threats because they contain toxic chemicals that may cause water and air pollution. Therefore, it is important to sort the waste well, pack it in bags, and transport it to treatment and disposal facilities.
In this regard, plastic surgery centers and hospitals must establish regulations and laws governing waste disposal, provide safe ways to reduce carbon emissions, invest in environmentally friendly health technologies, seek sterilization systems that help recycle medical resources, and rely on renewable energy sources in operating rooms.
