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Volume 8
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10.3390/drones8090489
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Article

A Green Laboratory Approach to Medical Sample Transportation: Assessing the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Footprint of Medical Sample Transportation by Drone, Combustion Car, and Electric Car

by
Noel Stierlin
1,2,
Fabian Loertscher
2,
Harald Renz
3,
Lorenz Risch
1,2,4 and
Martin Risch
1,2,*
1
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Private University of the Principality of Liechtenstein, 9495 Triesen, Liechtenstein
2
Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr. Risch, 9470 Buchs, Switzerland
3
Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35043 Marburg, Germany
4
Centre of Laboratory Medicine, University Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Drones 2024, 8(9), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8090489
Submission received: 22 August 2024 / Revised: 10 September 2024 / Accepted: 13 September 2024 / Published: 14 September 2024
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Abstract

In response to escalating climate change concerns, this study evaluates the ecological impact and efficiency of medical sample transportation using drones, combustion cars, and electric cars across various terrains and weather conditions in Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Through a comparative analysis, we found that combustion cars emit the highest average CO2 at 159.5 g per kilometer (g/km), while electric cars significantly reduce emissions to an average of 3.43 g/km, representing just 2.15% of the emissions from combustion vehicles. Drones emerged as the most environmentally sustainable option, with an average CO2 emission of 0.09 g/km, which is only 0.07% of combustion car emissions and 2.6% of electric car emissions. Drones also demonstrated superior transport efficiency, covering routes that were, on average, 17% shorter in flat terrain and 24% shorter in mountainous regions compared to cars. Additionally, drones achieved substantial time savings, ranging from 13% to 80% faster delivery times depending on the terrain and traffic conditions. These findings highlight the potential of drone technology to revolutionize healthcare logistics by significantly reducing carbon footprints, optimizing transport routes, and improving delivery efficiency. Integrating drones into healthcare transportation networks offers a promising pathway toward a more sustainable and resilient healthcare system.
Keywords: sustainable healthcare logistics; medical sample transportation; CO2 emissions; drone technology; environmental impact; operational efficiency sustainable healthcare logistics; medical sample transportation; CO2 emissions; drone technology; environmental impact; operational efficiency

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MDPI and ACS Style

Stierlin, N.; Loertscher, F.; Renz, H.; Risch, L.; Risch, M. A Green Laboratory Approach to Medical Sample Transportation: Assessing the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Footprint of Medical Sample Transportation by Drone, Combustion Car, and Electric Car. Drones 2024, 8, 489. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8090489

AMA Style

Stierlin N, Loertscher F, Renz H, Risch L, Risch M. A Green Laboratory Approach to Medical Sample Transportation: Assessing the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Footprint of Medical Sample Transportation by Drone, Combustion Car, and Electric Car. Drones. 2024; 8(9):489. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8090489

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stierlin, Noel, Fabian Loertscher, Harald Renz, Lorenz Risch, and Martin Risch. 2024. "A Green Laboratory Approach to Medical Sample Transportation: Assessing the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Footprint of Medical Sample Transportation by Drone, Combustion Car, and Electric Car" Drones 8, no. 9: 489. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8090489

APA Style

Stierlin, N., Loertscher, F., Renz, H., Risch, L., & Risch, M. (2024). A Green Laboratory Approach to Medical Sample Transportation: Assessing the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Footprint of Medical Sample Transportation by Drone, Combustion Car, and Electric Car. Drones, 8(9), 489. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8090489

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