Inhalers' Carbon Emissions Fuel U.S. Climate Burden
A peer-reviewed study published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that inhalers used to treat asthma and COPD produced an estimated 24.9 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent in the United States from 2014 through 2024. Researchers attribute roughly 98% of that total to metered-dose inhalers that use hydrofluoroalkane propellants and say switching to lower-emission devices (dry powder or soft mist inhalers) could reduce the health-care sector’s carbon footprint while protecting respiratory patients.
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📌 Key Facts
- Inhalers in the U.S. generated an estimated 24.9 million metric tons CO2-equivalent from 2014–2024.
- Metered-dose inhalers accounted for 98% of those emissions because they use hydrofluoroalkane propellants.
- The study equates the emissions to roughly 530,000 gas-powered cars per year and notes about 28 million Americans have asthma and 34 million have chronic lung disease.