1:25 pm today

How an Auckland professor is tackling anaesthetic gas emissions

From Afternoons, 1:25 pm today

When we think of harmful emissions, we think it's fair to say most of us picture clogged motorways not busy hospitals.

But environmental damage from anaesthetic gases is a thing; one hospital with 15 operating theatres will emit the equivalent to driving two million kilometres in a petrol-powered car. 

It's a problem that saw an Auckland University professor leap into action, inventing a device that captures almost all of the gases released during surgery.

That device has just had a successful trial - for more about this Professor Saeid Baroutian chats to Jesse.

Christchurch Hospital

Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon