A new study in the American Journal of Roentgenology shows that the carbon intensity of state power grids is the dominant factor in greenhouse gas emissions from MRI and CT scans. Grid carbon intensity accounts for 76.3% of state-level variation in per-beneficiary emissions, far outweighing imaging utilization. Emissions range from 0.05 metric tons of CO2e per 1,000 beneficiaries in Vermont to 4.82 in Missouri, reflecting local fuel mixtures. For hospitals and imaging centers, this means cutting scan volumes alone won't meaningfully reduce their carbon footprint in high-emission states. The researchers suggest that grid decarbonization and renewable energy procurement should complement imaging stewardship. Facilities can look into purchasing green power or supporting community solar projects to lower the emissions tied to their scanners.
