Measuring the carbon footprint of colonoscopy
The Carbon Footprint Study of Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening and Various Techniques of Colonic Polypectomy
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital · NCT07171853
This project tries to measure how much carbon dioxide a colonoscopy produces for adults undergoing colorectal cancer screening.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Bangkok, Bangkok) |
| Trial ID | NCT07171853 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an observational, single-site study that quantified CO₂ emissions generated before, during, and after screening colonoscopies at a tertiary hospital in Bangkok. Investigators recorded activity data including bowel-preparation materials, energy use, all equipment and medications, waste streams, and endoscope reprocessing. Emission factors were applied to each activity to calculate CO₂ equivalents, and common polypectomy techniques (cold forceps biopsy, cold snare polypectomy, hot snare polypectomy, and hot snare EMR) were compared for their relative emissions. The study enrolled adults aged 18–80 undergoing routine CRC screening with adequate bowel preparation and without major comorbid exclusions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 18–80 having colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening who are medically stable (ASA I–II), able to complete bowel preparation, and not on unpausable anticoagulants.
Not a fit: Patients who are critically ill, pregnant, have active GI bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, suspected malignancy, severe cardiopulmonary disease, or cannot pause anticoagulants were excluded and would not benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify high-emission steps and inform practical changes that lower the environmental impact of colonoscopy without reducing clinical quality.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lifecycle and carbon-footprint analyses have measured emissions for endoscopy and other medical procedures, but direct comparisons of common polypectomy techniques are limited, so parts of this work are novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18-80 years Exclusion Criteria: * Patient status grade III-V according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) * Poor bowel preparation (grade \<6 in the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale \[BBPS\]) * Endoscopic JNET type III or suspicion of malignancy * Hematologic or coagulation disorders, Plt\<140,000/mcL, INR\>1.5 * anti-platelet/anticoagulant medication that could not be paused as recommended in the current guideline * Emergency colonoscopy, GI bleeding, unstable vital sign, critical ill patient * Inflammatory bowel disease * Pregnancy * Severe cardiopulmonary disease * Severe infection * Malignancy * History of allergy to IV sedative medication
Where this trial is running
Bangkok, Bangkok
- King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital — Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Phubaet Washrawirul, Medical
- Email: phubaet.was@chulahospital.org
- Phone: 660815852932
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Colonoscopy, Carbon footprint, Colonic polypectomy