Causes

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) happens when your lungs and airways become damaged and inflamed.

It's usually associated with long-term exposure to something harmful such as cigarette smoke.

Things that can increase your risk of developing COPD include:

• smoking
• fumes and dust, especially at work
• air pollution
• genetics

Smoking

Smoking is the main cause of COPD and is thought to be responsible for around 9 in every 10 cases.

The harmful chemicals in smoke can damage the lining of the lungs and airways. Stopping smoking can help stop COPD from getting worse.

Breathing in other people's smoke (passive smoking) may increase your risk of COPD.

Get help to quit smoking

Fumes and dust at work

Exposure to certain types of dust and chemicals at work may damage the lungs and increase your risk of COPD.

Things that have been linked to COPD include:

• cadmium dust and fumes found in metal, plastic and battery production
• grain and flour dust
• silica dust found in concrete, stone or sand-based materials
• welding fumes
• isocyanates found in paints, glues and insulation materials
• coal dust

Your risk of COPD is even higher if you breathe in dust or fumes in the workplace and you also smoke.

Genetics

You're more likely to develop COPD if you smoke and have a close relative with the condition. This suggests that some people's genes may make them more vulnerable to the condition.

COPD and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Some people with COPD are more likely to develop a condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a substance that protects your lungs. Without it, the lungs are more vulnerable to damage.

People who have an alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency usually develop COPD at a younger age.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Air pollution

Exposure to air pollution over a long period can affect how well the lungs work. Some research has suggested it could increase your risk of COPD.

Air pollution increases your risk of developing COPD. Exposure to air pollution can also trigger flare-ups of COPD, and cause COPD to progress more quickly.