Hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants used in metered-dose inhalers are potent greenhouse gases and are also widely used in other aerosol products, while dry powder inhalers and soft mist inhalers deliver medication without propellants and therefore have lower greenhouse gas emissions.
December 31, 2024
high
descriptive
Explanation of why different inhaler technologies differ in greenhouse gas impact.
A JAMA study analyzing inhaler emissions from 2014 to 2024 estimated that inhalers generated more than 2 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year over that decade.
December 31, 2024
high
temporal
Study-level estimate of annual inhaler-related carbon emissions aggregated over 2014–2024.