Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs of Inhaler Devices in the US

Metered-dose inhalers prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease contain hydrofluorocarbon propellants, potent greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere thousands of times more powerfully than carbon dioxide. In England, these inhalers contribute an estimated 0.8 million metric tons (MMT) of annual carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions,¹ equivalent to 157 885 US homes’ yearly electricity use.² In response, the National Health Service (NHS) has encouraged switching from propellant-containing metered-dose inhalers to propellant-free alternatives such as dry-powder and soft-mist inhalers.¹