Photo Credit: OlegMalyshev
The following is a summary of “Autopsy of a Hemodialysis Machine Potential for Recycling at the End of the Life Cycle,” published in the December 2024 issue of Nephrology by Bonnet et al.
Hemodialysis machines impact healthcare’s carbon footprint, with 100,000 units discarded annually worldwide
Researchers conducted a retrospective study on 2 dialysis machines from leading companies to assess their composition and recyclability after 10-12 years of use under French regulations.
They dismantled one 5008 CorDiax (Fresenius) and 1 Artis/Evosys (Gambro), analyzing each piece by weight and components: plastic, metal, mixed materials, and electronics. Disassembly time was recorded, and 15 plastic samples underwent FTIR spectroscopy. Results were compared with manufacturer data.
The results showed the dismantled machines weighed 125.0 kg and 141.4 kg, with plastic, metal, mixed materials, and electronics accounting for 28%, 15%, 51%, and 6% in the first, and 28%, 19%, 40%, and 13% in the second. Manual disassembly into macro elements took 12 hours, while full dismantling required 35 hours. The plastic elements, mostly resin mixtures, had negligible recycling potential.
Investigators found that hemodialysis machines produced significant waste with low recycling potential, highlighting the need for cradle-to-cradle design improvements.
Source:journals.lww.com/jasn/abstract/9900/autopsy_of_a_hemodialysis_machine__potential_for.511.aspx