Michelle T Machola 202200030

Katlego J Makoko 202204092

Amantle Modisane 202203515

Pearl K Keaitse 202200128

Sharon S Mokete 202200086

Boemo Magoko 202204848

Rorisang R Simon 202200542

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF TELEHEALTH ON
EACH PHASE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL e-HEALTH
MODEL

Telehealth is the practice of medicine using technology to deliver care at a distance.

The production, usage and disposal of electronic technologies, robotics and devices used to
facilitate telehealth can have both positive and negative effects on the environment. These can be
classified as upstream, midstream and downstream as follows.
Upstream

Raw materials are required to produce health technologies like smartphones, smartwatches and
computers. Such raw materials include lithium used to manufacture batteries, copper for
electronic circuits and silicon to make processors. Extraction of the raw materials requires large
mining operations which involve clearing of land which degrades the ground hence soil being
prone to soil erosion and destruction of ecosystems.

During the manufacturing stage there is a possibility of spillage of toxic waste such as used oils
which can pollute water sources like underground water and river sources which result in loss of
marine life and pollution of water making it unsafe to use.

Midstream

Electronic devices such as wristband watches emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas which its
accumulation result in global warming as the released carbon dioxide along with other air
pollutants trap solar radiation and sunlight that have bounced off the earth's surface.

Carbon dioxide produced during the use of technological devices may result in the formation of
acid rain when carbon dioxide reacts with rainwater in the atmosphere forming carbonic acid
hence acid rain which corrodes buildings, leads to water toxicity and eutrophication.

However due to the use of telehealth technological devices, doctor’s appointments can be done
virtually reducing the number of trips made to the health care provider's office for in-person
consultations reducing the gases and energy emitted by the vehicles used to make the trips
reducing air pollution and the emission of gases that lead to global warming.

Downstream

As a way of disposing off e-waste many countries burn and bury it, which negatively affects the
environment as the burning waste releases harmful gases such as dioxins and furans which
causes air pollution. The burying of e-waste in landfills results in toxic material such as lead and
barium seeping into the ground which later pollutes underground water affecting both plants and
animals that rely on water for survival.

Alternatively some countries like China, dispose off electronic devices by refurbishing them that
is they clean, redecorate them and sell them to African countries at a cheaper price. This then
help reduce negative impacts of disposing of electronic devices by burning and burying them.

To ensure ethical production and disposal of devices used to support the use of telehealth, serious
steps such as green mining and investments into electronic recycling by replacing diesel engines
with battery engine equipment have been implemented were possible to reduce carbon emissions
which in turn reduced pollution and global warming.