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Scoping ambulance emissions: recommendations for reducing engine idling time

02 July 2019
Volume 11 · Issue 7

Abstract

The NHS is a significant contributor to the UK's greenhouse gases and environmental pollution. The current review seeks to examine the degree to which ambulance services contribute to environmental pollution and provides quality improvement suggestions that may reduce emissions, save money and improve public health. A literature search was conducted to identify the English language literature for the past 7 years related to ambulance service carbon emissions and pertinent strategies for reducing harm. An average of 31.3 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced per ambulance response in the current box-shaped ambulance design. A number of quality improvement suggestions related to cost, emissions and public health emerge. Ambulance services should consider a range of system-level and individual-focused interventions in order to reduce emissions, save money and promote public health.

The UK road traffic volume is estimated to currently produce 5% of air pollution and greenhouse gases (Sustainable Development Unit, 2017), of which 16% has been identified to be linked to the NHS infrastructure and transport (Sustainable Development Unit, 2012). It is not clear what proportion of this comes directly from the UK NHS ambulance fleet.

With health costs resulting from exposure to air pollution totalling more than £20 billion and contributing to approximately 40 000 deaths per year (Royal College of Physicians, 2016), the NHS has developed environmental targets to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 (Health Business UK, 2017). The UK Government intends to ban the sale of petrol and diesel engines by 2040 (Lord Carter of Coles, 2018).

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