Job Exposure Linked to Many Cases of Lung Disease
(NY, Reuters-Health, 10/31/02)

According to a study by Dr. Eva Hnizdo and colleagues at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), approximately 20% of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are job-related. The researchers found that COPD-- which includes respiratory ailments like asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis-- is more common among workers in blue-collar than white-collar industries. Hnizdo suggests that minimizing exposure to airborne substances in the workplace (gases, fumes, vapors and dusts) will decrease the risk of COPD.