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A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chances for developing a disease or condition. Risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include:

• Smoking

  • approximately 80% of the cases of COPD in the United States occur in people who are current or former smokers
  • cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for COPD
  • pipe and cigar smoking are also risk factors for COPD, although the risk is thought to be less than for cigarettes
  • people who are exposed to second-hand smoke are also at increased risk for developing COPD but the risk is less than for smokers
  • infants of women who smoke during pregnancy have been found to have reduced breathing capacity

• Air pollution

  • studies have shown that people who live in urban areas with a high concentration of air pollutants are at increased risk for developing coughs, shortness of breath, and reduced breathing capacity.

• Occupational exposure

  • about 20% of cases of COPD can be attributed to occupational exposure to certain substances.
  • examples of substances that have been found to be occupational risk factors for COPD include: grains, isocyanates, cadmium, coal, and welding fumes

• Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency

  • alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder that results in damage to the air sacs in the lungs leading to emphysema and damage to the liver that can cause liver cirrhosis
  • alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency is the only known genetic risk factor for COPD
  • only about 1% to 2% of people with COPD have alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency