Occupation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Abstract

Introduction: There is growing interest in preventable, non-smoking causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among which are chronic exposures to respiratory irritants in the workplace.

Sources of data: Reviews of occupational COPD in specific occupations and industries and in general populations; supplemented with other or more recently published material.

Areas of agreement: There is good evidence for an increased risk of COPD from certain specific exposures (coal mine dust, silica, welding fume, textile dust, agricultural dust, cadmium fume).

Areas of controversy: Less clear is the causal role of non-specific dusts or fumes/gases in general populations where the available literature is notably uncritical.

Growing points: Other specific exposures, such as diesel fume; interactions between specific exposures and cigarette smoking; the development of safe working limits.

Areas timely for developing research: Occupations with large numbers of exposed employees, particularly in low-income countries.