A study, released in October 2025 by the JAMA Network, investigates the magnitude, sources, and social costs of inhaler-related greenhouse gas emissions in the US from 2014 to 2024. Researchers found that 1.6 billion inhalers dispensed during this period produced 24.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in the US, 98% of which were from metered-dose inhalers. The estimated social costs of emissions were $5.7 billion (lower bound, $3.5 billion; upper bound, $10.0 billion). These findings highlight the need for targeted efforts to transition toward inhalers with lower global warming potential, such as dry powder and soft mist inhalers.
Read the full journal article here.
Read an editorial about the journal article here.