ArticleAnaesthesia2025
Trends in greenhouse gas emissions from volatile anaesthetics in 41 countries: 2013-2023.
Article in Anaesthesia, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Environmental and clinical rationale for the use of desflurane: a review of the literature.Journal of anesthesia · 2026Review
- Volatile sedation as a source of greenhouse gas emissions in intensive care medicine.Intensive care medicine · 2026Article
- Towards an environmentally sustainable and resilient healthcare system: a roadmap for Italy.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionInhalational anaesthetics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to regulatory restrictions in some countries. This study analysed time trends of greenhouse gas emissions directly attributable to the use of volatile anaesthetic agents in 41 countries.
methodsSales data were obtained using data from IQVIA MIDAS® and national medicines agencies. We calculated the kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (based on global warming potential) per capita and percentage change in greenhouse gas emissions, from the emission of volatile anaesthetics from 2018 to 2023.
resultsData were obtained for 41 countries, representing approximately 35% of the global population. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with volatile anaesthetic agents decreased in the 27 European Union nations and other 'western' countries included in the study (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and USA), achieving in some cases below 0.5 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents per inhabitant. In contrast, several Asian countries showed a substantial increase in emissions, with South Korea and Japan reporting the highest values globally (approximately 2.5 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents per inhabitant). A secondary analysis restricted to European countries showed a 17-fold difference in per-capita carbon-equivalent emissions between the highest and lowest emitters, suggesting that recommendations on the use of volatile anaesthetic agents are implemented inconsistently. DISCUSSION: Our study highlighted large differences in the management of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to volatile anaesthetic use. While results show a decreasing trend in western countries, albeit with substantial variation, rising trends observed in many Asian countries may constitute a source of concern. The experience of nations that have phased out the highest impacting volatile anaesthetic agents show that reducing emissions below 0.5 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents per inhabitant is attainable. This should serve as a model for other systems, prompting implementation of educational initiatives and specific policies.
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