Risk Factors
Most cases of COPD are caused by inhaling pollutants which include smoking (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, etc.) and other fumes such as those found in many industrial work environments. Chemicals and other dusts found in many work environments are contributing factors for many individuals who develop COPD. Genetics can also play a role in an individual’s development of COPD—even if the person has never smoked or has ever been exposed to strong lung irritants in the workplace.
When lung irritants (smoke and other pollution) enters the lungs, it causes the airways to become inflamed and narrowed. Over time this destroys the elastic fibers which allow the airways to stretch and return back to its normal state, which makes breathing more difficult.
Below you’ll find more information on the three prominent risk factors for developing COPD1:
- Smoking
COPD most often occurs in those 40 years of age and older who have a history of smoking. These can be individuals who are either current or former smokers. Although as many as 1 out of 6 individuals with COPD have never smoked, smoking does remain the most common cause of COPD and accounts for as many as 9 out of 10 COPD-related deaths.
- Environmental Factors
COPD can also occur in those who have had long-term contact with harmful pollutants either outside or in the workplace. Some of these harmful lung irritants include certain chemicals, dust, or fumes in the workplace. Heavy or long-term contact with secondhand smoke or other lung irritants may also cause COPD.
- Genetic Factors
Even if an individual has never smoked or exposed their lungs to pollutants for a long time, they can still develop COPD. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency is the most common known genetic risk factor for emphysema2. Alpha-1-related COPD is caused by a deficiency of the AAT protein in the bloodstream. Without the AAT protein in the bloodstream, white blood cells begin to harm the lungs and lung deterioration occurs. The World Health Organization and the American Thoracic Society recommends that every individual diagnosed with COPD be tested for Alpha-1. For more information about AAT and how to get tested, visit the Alpha-1 Foundation Website or call 1-877-2 CURE-A1 or 1-877-228-7321.
Because not all individuals with COPD have Alpha-1, and because some individuals with COPD have never smoked, it is believed that there are other genetic predispositions to developing COPD. (Read about the COPDGene Study to learn more about a study being conducted to find other genetic predispositions for developing COPD.)
1 Description from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_Causes.html. Website last accessed 3/18/08.
2 Statistics on Alpha-1-related COPD available on the Alpha-1 Foundation website at: http://www.alphaone.org/alphas/?c=01-What-is-Alpha-1-Alphas. Website last accessed 3/18/08.