The types of treatment for asthma depend on age, severity and response to the treatment option, but may with asthma use daily medication for long-term control and asthma inhalers for short-term relief during an attack. Most people, especially those who suffer from asthma, may consider an inhaler a necessity and never stop to consider its environmental impact. But according to a recent study, some asthma inhalers are just as bad for the environment as eating meat.

The study, conducted by the University of Cambridge, found that the inhalers most commonly used in the United Kingdom account for 4% of greenhouse gasses emitted by the National Health Service. The metered-dose style asthma inhaler, specifically, contains a prominent greenhouse gas known as HFA. According to researchers, replacing 10% of metered-dose inhalers with dry-powder inhalers could help cut carbon dioxide emissions in the UL by 58,000 tons per year. For each individual who made the change, researchers say the impact would be the equivalent to that person recycling on a regular basis or adopting a vegetarian diet.

Dr. James Smith, from the University of Cambridge, explained, “Our study shows that switching to inhalers which are better for the environment could help individuals, and the NHS as a whole, reduce their impact on the climate significantly. This is an important step towards creating a zero carbon healthcare system fit for the 21st century.”

If you suffer from asthma, consult a health care professional before changing medications.  In addition to identifying environmental factors triggering asthma attacks, homeopathic treatments may offer enough relief to reduce or eliminate pharmaceutical drugs. Consider consulting a homeopathic professional to help identify natural treatment options for asthma.