Life cycle assessment of a medical device: a cradle to grave analysis

The analytical tool central for this thesis is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, which evaluates a product's or process's comprehensive impacts, from raw material extraction to processing, usage, and disposal.The LCA methodology has been applied to evaluate the environmental impact of Speedflow®, an IV medical filtration device manufactured by GVS S.p.A., with the assessment concentrating on a theoretical "AS IS" scenario. This approach simulates and interprets the environmental impact of the product if wholly produced by the company, with the goal of identifying critical points in the production process regarding environmental impact. The study reveals that NMP, one of the two solvents currently used, significantly impacts the environment. Cyrene™, a biobased alternative solvent, exhibited lesser environmental impact. However, its minimal contribution to the final product raises questions about its commercial viability. Moreover, the usage of PFAS in the hydrophobic PVDF membrane has potential impacts on human health, prompting additional research for alternatives. A noteworthy finding is that recycling production waste from the MBS case could potentially offset the environmental impacts from direct emissions in the production process. Yet, the LCA approach also presented limitations, including technical constraints and the potential for high subjectivity. This made direct comparisons between multiple LCA studies complex and raised concerns about the methodology's precision due to its aggregation of the impacts of disparate substances. In conclusion, while LCA is a powerful tool for evaluating a product's or process's environmental impact, its application alone may not be sufficient. Critical, accurate analysis and risk assessment are necessary for a more comprehensive study.