A new study has revealed that inhalers used to treat asthma and COPD in the US may have emitted over 2 million tonnes of emissions, equivalent to the yearly emissions of about 530,000 petrol-powered cars on the road.
The research team, including scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that metered-dose inhalers containing hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants and releasing aerosols were the most harmful to the environment. These inhalers were responsible for a staggering 98 percent of emissions over the 10-year period.
Other types of inhalers, including dry powder inhalers and soft mist inhalers, are less harmful to the environment as they deliver medication without requiring propellants.
In total, inhalers generated 24.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in the US from 2014 to 2024. The estimated social costs of these emissions were $5.7 billion, according to the researchers.
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https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/asthma-and-copd-inhalers-linked-to-24-9-million-tonnes-of-us-carbon-emissions-23597689
