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

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.