Researchers Quantify Wearable Healthcare Devices' Environmental Impact

Researchers from the University of Chicago and Cornell quantify the cradle-to-grave environmental impacts of wearable healthcare electronics in a Nature paper, estimating 1.1–6.1 kg CO₂-equivalent per device. They find circuit boards and components account for about 70% of impacts and project demand could reach two billion devices annually by 2050, producing over one million tons of e-waste and roughly 100 million tons CO₂e. The team recommends reuse of electronics, renewable-powered manufacturing, and substituting rare metals with copper or aluminum.