Inhalers' Emissions Equal 530,000 Cars Annually
A new JAMA study led by UCLA pulmonologist Dr. William Feldman finds that inhalers used for asthma and COPD generated roughly 2 million metric tons of CO2‑equivalent per year from 2014–2024 — emissions the authors say are roughly equal to those from about 530,000 gas‑powered cars on the road annually. The researchers analyzed U.S. prescription data at the National Drug Code level and attribute about 98% of the emissions to pressurized metered‑dose inhalers (pMDIs) that use hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants; low‑emission alternatives such as dry‑powder and soft‑mist inhalers have substantially smaller footprints and some manufacturers are already shifting technologies.
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Climate
📌 Key Facts
- Researchers estimate inhalers produced ~2,000,000 metric tons CO2‑equivalent per year (2014–2024), equal to ~530,000 gas cars annually.
- Pressurized metered‑dose inhalers (pMDIs) using HFA propellants accounted for ~98% of the decade’s inhaler emissions.
- Analysis used a national prescription database (NDC‑level) and emissions factors from validated academic studies; authors plan follow‑ups comparing patient outcomes and equity implications for lower‑emission devices.