Linens Dominate Ultrasound’s Carbon Footprint, Study Finds

A research study published on April 8, 2026, in the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR) has found that the carbon footprint of ultrasound imaging is primarily driven by linens and disposable supplies rather than the energy consumption of the equipment itself.

The findings indicate a significant difference between ultrasound and other medical imaging modalities regarding the sources of greenhouse gas emissions. While equipment energy use is often a primary concern in medical sustainability, this study demonstrates that for ultrasound, the environmental impact is centered on the materials used during the procedure.

Breakdown of Ultrasound Carbon Emissions

The study, titled Harmonizing Diagnostic Ultrasound Practice with Environmental Sustainability: A Life Cycle Assessment of Diagnostic Ultrasound in a Single Adult University Hospital, utilized a life cycle assessment to determine exactly where emissions originate during the delivery of ultrasound services.

The researchers found that the vast majority of annual carbon emissions are linked to consumables. The specific breakdown of contributors to the carbon footprint includes:

• Linens: 35%
• Other single-use supplies: 34%
• Equipment production: 7%
• Equipment energy use: 3%

These figures highlight that nearly 70% of the environmental impact stems from linens and disposable items, while the actual operation of the ultrasound machinery is a minor contributor to total emissions.

Strategies for Environmental Reduction

Based on these findings, the study suggests that radiology departments can significantly reduce their environmental impact and associated costs by optimizing the use of linens and disposable supplies.

The authors encourage the adoption of materials with lower environmental footprints. Specific recommendations include transitioning to sustainably-sourced organic cotton for linens and implementing compostable alternatives to replace traditional plastic products used during exams.

Katherine Frederick-Dyer, MD, Director of Body MRI at Vanderbilt Health and the lead author of the study, noted that the results highlight the low energy use of ultrasound and the potential impact of contentious supply use.

While linens and disposable supplies were the greatest contributors to the carbon footprint of ultrasound, strategies to optimize their use can be implemented across radiology department modalities for an even greater impact. By identifying supplies such as linens as a major driver of environmental impact in ultrasound imaging, our study highlights the need to look beyond equipment and take a more comprehensive, systems-based approach to sustainability.

Katherine Frederick-Dyer, MD

A Systems-Based Approach to Radiology

The research underscores a need for healthcare facilities to shift their perspective on medical sustainability. Rather than focusing solely on the energy efficiency of high-tech machinery, the study suggests that the most effective gains in sustainability may come from managing the broader supply chain and the daily consumables used in patient care.

By identifying these specific drivers of environmental impact, the study provides a framework for radiology departments to evaluate other modalities. The potential to implement similar supply-optimization strategies across different types of imaging could lead to a broader reduction in the overall carbon footprint of diagnostic radiology services.