Reducing the Emission of X-Ray Contrast Agents to the Environment: Decentralized Collection of Urine Bags and Its Acceptance

Abstract

X-ray contrast agents (XCAs) are increasingly polluting water. One way of effectively tackling the root of the problem is direct collection of patient urine. This requires gaining broad acceptance among patients and medical personnel.Iodinated x-ray contrast agents (XCAs) are water-soluble and persistent; their use and the associated water pollution are on the rise. They are not sufficiently removed in sewage treatment plants. XCAs are administered in medical facilities and are excreted almost unchanged in patients’ urine within 24 hours. These properties predestine the direct collection of patient urine. In Germany source- and application-oriented approaches, which require a broad acceptance among the relevant actors, are politically discussed as important columns of a holistic micro-pollutant strategy. The applicability of urine bags and their acceptance by patients and staff were examined in the pilot project MindER . 159 patients, roughly 20 to 25 percent of those addressed, took part in the survey. They assessed the measure mainly positively. The assessment of the staff was more sceptical. For a high level of acceptance among medical staff, it is important that the bags can be integrated into existing routines as simply as possible.