Occupation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
BACKGROUND
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.


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


RESULTS
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).


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


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


CONCLUSIONS
Occupations with large numbers of exposed employees, particularly in low-income countries.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College (NHLI), London, UK. p.cullinan@imperial.ac.uk
Paul
P
Cullinan
D003031:Coal / Q000009:adverse effects; D004391:Dust; D005740:Gases / Q000009:adverse effects; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology* / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D014896:Welding
D003031:Coal; D004391:Dust; D005740:Gases; D012822:Silicon Dioxide