Life-Cycle Health Risk and Environmental Burden Assessment of Reusable vs Single-Use Medical Textiles: An Innovative Comparison of Worker Exposure and Carbon Emissions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70062/greenhealth.v1i4.265Keywords:
Carbon Emissions, Environmental Impact, Healthcare Systems, Occupational Health, Sustainable TextilesAbstract
The healthcare industry is increasingly relying on medical textiles, particularly single-use items such as surgical gowns, masks, and drapes, to maintain hygiene and prevent infections. However, the widespread use of these single-use textiles raises significant environmental and health concerns. These items are primarily made from non-biodegradable materials, contributing to large volumes of waste and environmental pollution. The production and disposal of single-use textiles also generate carbon emissions, further exacerbating climate change. In response to these challenges, reusable medical textiles have emerged as a more sustainable alternative. Reusable textiles offer several environmental benefits, including reduced resource consumption, lower carbon emissions, and decreased waste generation. Additionally, reusable textiles can improve occupational health by reducing healthcare workers' exposure to harmful chemicals and irritants found in single-use textiles. This study compares the environmental impact and occupational health risks associated with reusable and single-use medical textiles, focusing on factors such as carbon footprint, waste generation, and chemical exposure. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies were employed to quantify the environmental impacts, while workplace exposure measurements assessed the health risks to healthcare workers. The results indicate that reusable textiles significantly reduce carbon emissions and waste compared to single-use textiles. Furthermore, reusable textiles were associated with lower levels of chemical exposure for healthcare workers. The study concludes with recommendations for healthcare systems to adopt reusable textiles to reduce environmental and health risks, while also suggesting areas for future research on sustainable textile innovations and the integration of reusable systems in healthcare facilities.
References
Azenha, Â. (2019). Textile workers. In Kanerva’s Occupational Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68617-2_195
Burguburu, A., Tanné, C., Bosc, K., Laplaud, J., Roth, M., & Czyrnek-Delêtre, M. (2022). Comparative life cycle assessment of reusable and disposable scrub suits used in hospital operating rooms. Cleaner Environmental Systems, 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cesys.2021.100068
Chen, X., Chen, X., Liu, Q., Zhao, Q., Xiong, X., & Wu, C. (2021). Used disposable face masks are significant sources of microplastics to environment. Environmental Pollution, 285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117485
Ezeanya-Bakpa, C. C., Inobeme, A., & Adekoya, M. A. (2022). Hospital laundries and their effect on medical textiles. In Medical Textiles from Natural Resources. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90479-7.00004-X
Giménez-Arnau, A. M., & Skudlik, C. (2020). Occupational contact dermatitis: Health personnel. In Contact Dermatitis: Sixth Edition. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36335-2_43
Gumera, A., Mil, M., Hains, L., Fanshaw, S.-R., & Dunne, B. (2024). Reusable surgical headwear has a reduced carbon footprint and matches disposables regarding surgical site infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Hospital Infection, 152, 164–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2024.07.017
Henn, S., Boiano, J. M., & Steege, A. L. (2015). Precautionary practices of healthcare workers who disinfect medical and dental devices using high-level disinfectants. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 36(2), 180–185. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2014.37
Japundžić, I., Novak-Hlebar, I., Špiljak, B., Kuna, M., Yale, K., & Lugović-Mihić, L. (2022). Skin features important for the occurrence of contact dermatitis in healthcare workers. Acta Clinica Croatica, 61(4), 692–702. https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.04.16
McGinnis, S., Johnson-Privitera, C., Nunziato, J. D., & Wohlford, S. (2021). Environmental life cycle assessment in medical practice: A user’s guide. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, 76(7), 417–428. https://doi.org/10.1097/OGX.0000000000000906
McQuerry, M., Easter, E., & Cao, A. (2021). Disposable versus reusable medical gowns: A performance comparison. American Journal of Infection Control, 49(5), 563–570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.10.013
Montesinos, L., Checa Rifá, P., Rifá Fabregat, M., Maldonado-Romo, J., Capacci, S., Maccaro, A., & Piaggio, D. (2024). Sustainability across the medical device lifecycle: A scoping review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041433
Morone, P., Yilan, G., Imbert, E., & Becchetti, L. (2022). Reconciling human health with the environment while struggling against the COVID-19 pandemic through improved face mask eco-design. Scientific Reports, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06536-6
Muthu, S. S. (2015). Handbook of life cycle assessment (LCA) of textiles and clothing. In Handbook of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Textiles and Clothing. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2014-0-00761-7
Nankongnab, N., Kongtip, P., Tipayamongkholgul, M., Silpasuwan, P., Kaewboonchoo, O., Luksamijarulkul, P., & Woskie, S. (2021). Occupational hazards, health conditions and personal protective equipment used among healthcare workers in hospitals, Thailand. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 27(3), 804–824. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2020.1768824
Pellegrini, M., Guzzini, A., & Saccani, C. (2023). Sustainability of medical gowns supply chain management in the post-COVID era. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, 469–476. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34821-1_51
Roos, S., & Peters, G. M. (2015). Three methods for strategic product toxicity assessment—the case of the cotton T-shirt. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 20(7), 903–912. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-015-0895-6
Snigdha, Hiloidhari, M., & Bandyopadhyay, S. (2023). Environmental footprints of disposable and reusable personal protective equipment – A product life cycle approach for body coveralls. Journal of Cleaner Production, 394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136166
Vozzola, E., Overcash, M., & Griffing, E. (2018). Environmental considerations in the selection of isolation gowns: A life cycle assessment of reusable and disposable alternatives. American Journal of Infection Control, 46(8), 881–886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2018.02.002
Vozzola, E., Overcash, M., & Griffing, E. (2020). An environmental analysis of reusable and disposable surgical gowns. AORN Journal, 111(3), 315–325. https://doi.org/10.1002/aorn.12885
Watson, K. J., & Wiedemann, S. G. (2019). Review of methodological choices in LCA-based textile and apparel rating tools: Key issues and recommendations relating to assessment of fabrics made from natural fibre types. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11143846
Yuliana, M., Santoso, S. P., Putro, J. N., Wijaya, C. J., & Lunardi, V. B. (2022). Environmental impact, health hazards and waste management of medical textile products. In Medical Textiles from Natural Resources. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90479-7.00006-3
Zandberga, A., Gusca, J., Blumberga, D., & Kalnins, S. N. (2024). Mini review on circularity framework for textile waste in healthcare. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1372(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1372/1/012039
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Green Health International Journal of Health Sciences Nursing and Nutrition
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
