this post was submitted on 07 Oct 2025
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Inhalers drive carbon emissions equivalent to 530,000 cars each year, study shows (phys.org)
submitted 18 hours ago by throws_lemy@lemmy.nz to c/publichealth@mander.xyz
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Inhalers are the frontline treatment for asthma and COPD, but they come with a steep environmental cost, according to a new UCLA Health study—the largest to date quantifying inhaler-related emissions in the United States.

Researchers found that inhalers have generated over 2 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually over the past decade, equivalent to the emissions of roughly 530,000 gas-powered cars on the road each year.

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[–] Maxxie@piefed.blahaj.zone 12 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Title is dumb, the article itself is fine

It found that metered-dose inhalers were the most harmful to the environment, accounting for 98% of emissions over the 10-year period. Metered-dose inhalers contain hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants, which are potent greenhouse gases that were widely used in products such as aerosol sprays.

"On the upside, there is a tremendous opportunity to make changes that protect both patients and the planet by utilizing lower-emission alternatives."

"A key first step to driving change is understanding the true scale of the problem," Feldman said. "From there, we can identify what's fueling these emissions and develop targeted strategies to reduce them—benefiting both patients and the environment."

[–] bizarroland@lemmy.world 4 points 16 hours ago

I mean, they could do stuff like stop putting those dangerous hydrofluorocarbons into the inhalers.

I mean, it kinda seems like the solution suggests itself.

If you wanted to get really fancy, I'm sure that there's some sort of lithium battery powered motor pump contraption that could easily compress air and use that as the accelerator for the medicine.

Then all you would need to do is deploy a new medicine cartridge for your inhaler, and you get rid of the hydrofluorocarbons completely.