US Asthma, COPD Inhalers Drive Emissions Equivalent to 530,000 Cars Annually

A comprehensive UCLA Health study has found that inhalers used for asthma and COPD treatment in the United States contribute over 2 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions of about 530,000 gasoline-powered cars. Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), which utilize hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants, are responsible for 98% of these emissions due to the potent greenhouse effect of HFAs. Alternatives such as dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and soft mist inhalers (SMIs), which do not use propellants or use them less harmfully, offer significant opportunities to reduce environmental impact without compromising patient care. Despite their availability, the adoption of these lower-emission devices remains limited, partly due to cost and patent-related issues. Researchers emphasize the urgency of balancing respiratory health needs with environmental sustainability and suggest that shifting to greener inhaler technologies is a feasible and necessary step. The findings highlight the healthcare sector's growing carbon footprint and call for targeted strategies to mitigate inhaler-related emissions while maintaining effective treatment access.