Did you know that switching to a “greener” asthma medication could cut your carbon footprint? So much so, the swap would have as significant an “eco” impact as turning vegetarian and becoming an avid recycler! However, the team of researchers from Cambridge University cautions patients to check with their doctor before changing medications.
It’s not like switching from Excedrin to Tylenol when suffering from a mild headache. Asthma is a life-threatening condition, and the medication is a life-saving necessity that has to be taken seriously. With that being said, if you can switch to a different medication that is less harmful to the planet then great! If you can’t, forget about it.
How is asthma medication bad for the environment? Certain inhalers release greenhouse gases linked to global warming. Specifically, metered-dose inhalers are the type that contains greenhouse gases. They are called hydrofluoroalkanes, and they are used as propellants to squirt the medicine out of the canister. Seven out of every ten inhalers prescribed are of this type. Fifty million of them were prescribed in 2017.
The study examined the environmental impact of different kinds of inhalers prescribed to asthmatics on the NHS in England. With over five million asthmatic people in the UK, the researchers estimate that replacing just one in every ten of the metered-dosed inhalers with an environmentally friendly type (a dry powder inhaler) would cut down carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 58 kilotons. To illustrate, that’s the same as 180,000 car trips from London to Edinburgh. The research was published in BMJ Open.
Lead researcher Dr. Alex Wilkinson said:
The gases within these canisters are such powerful greenhouse gases that they can contribute significantly to an individual’s carbon footprint and if you are using one or two of these inhalers every month, then that can really add up to hundreds of kilos of carbon dioxide equivalent over the course of a year, which is similar to other actions that people are keen to take to reduce their carbon footprint such as going vegetarian.
The problem is, a person switching inhalers could have to learn a whole new technique in how to use the device. It may be too dangerous. If a patient is unable to switch, it isn’t right to make them feel guilty. The researchers say that they are not to blame and that the pharmaceutical companies should start trying harder to develop eco-friendly inhalers from the start.
For those who must continue using the metered-dosed inhaler, there are ways to keep their carbon footprint from medication to a minimum. Dr. Wilkinson said:
It’s really important that we use these inhalers wisely, that patients have good technique and they have their technique assessed so we can really make sure every puff counts. Also, patients should make sure they know how many doses their inhaler contains so they don’t waste any.
Once you’ve finished with your inhaler, it’s important to dispose of it properly because they’ve got greenhouse gases left in them. Take them back to your pharmacy to be disposed of properly.
Jessica Kirby, Asthma UK health advice head, said:
It is vital that you keep using your inhalers as prescribed. If you are concerned about the environmental effects, talk to your doctor or asthma nurse at your next annual asthma review, to see whether there is another type of inhaler that would work for you.
Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said:
The NHS has already cut its carbon footprint by one fifth in the past decade and giving patients the option to, where clinically appropriate, shift to lower carbon ‘green’ inhalers as set out in the Long-Term Plan is not only the right thing for them but also the planet.
The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America says that “patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers must keep these findings in perspective.” Over 3,600 people die every year from asthma. So, yes, it’s good to take small individual steps like switching to a greener inhaler – but only so long as the patient can do so without putting their life at risk.
