According to public health officials, asthma inhalers are as harmful to the environment as the 180 km traveled by car

AHeads of health warned that every inhaler they use can pollute the environment up to 180 km by car.

The National Institute for Excellence in Health and Care (Nice) has issued a new directive urging patients to avoid, as far as possible, the use of the most common type of inhaler, called an inhaler. proportioner.

MDIs contain about 70% of inhaler prescriptions, or about 26 million a year, and contain propellants, known as hydrofluorocarbons, which are potent greenhouse gases.

The first time that Nice has evaluated the carbon footprint of a recommended device, the body has calculated that five doses from a MDI have the same carbon emissions that a journey of nine kilometers in a classic car.

The devices usually contain 100 doses.

On the other hand, dry powder inhalers account for only about one-fifth of the damage to the environment.

According to Mr. Nice, most asthma medications are available in more than one type of inhaler and urged users to consider moving away from MDIs.

Professor Gillian Leng, Deputy Director General, said: "People who must use metered-dose inhalers must absolutely continue to do so, but if you have a choice of a green option, think about the environment .