A new study in JAMA claims that asthma inhalers are contributing to climate change. Yes, really. Researchers calculated that the propellants in puff inhalers release greenhouse gases and that is killing the polar bears. They didn’t mention the polar bears but that’s clearly the implication. They estimate U.S. inhalers generated 24.9 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalents over the past decade. That sounds like a big number but Americans emit that much in just a few hours of drive time on any given day. Which begs the question: why would someone do such a dumb research project like this? Here is why: The researchers suggest that patients switch to “eco-friendly” dry-powder inhalers which are incidentally more expensive, harder to use, and not suitable for children, the elderly, or anyone in an asthma attack. Because they’re powder-based, you need strong lungs to use them — something asthmatics don’t have. They also cause more throat irritation and can fail in humid conditions. But pharma companies love them. New device, new patent, higher price tag. So how do they sell them? Climate guilt! That oughta do it! The idea that someone wheezing through an asthma attack should worry about their carbon footprint is beyond parody. Medicine should be about keeping people alive not auditing their emissions. The post The War on Asthma: Your Inhaler Is Now a Climate Threat appeared first on Redacted.