A study covering 2014–2024 published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that 24.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions from inhalers over 2014–2024 is equivalent to the emissions of about 530,000 gas-powered cars per year.
December 31, 2024
high
temporal
Study-provided equivalence translating inhaler emissions into comparable annual passenger-vehicle emissions.
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.