Asbestos and COPD

Asbestos and COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease)

This article discusses asbestos and COPD that is Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease. COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease) is an umbrella term to describe progressive lung disease that usually refers to asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is characterized by progressive breathlessness. The disease develops slowly and symptoms surface as the disease gradually progresses. COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease). is caused by smoking and environmental toxins. Such toxins include pollen, chemical fumes, asbestos and other toxins common in the workplace like dust. These toxins are said to trigger COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease).

COPD develops as a result of inhalation of foreign fumes or foreign substances. This in turn affects the lungs elasticity and makes it hard for an individual to exhale properly.

Asbestos and COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease)

People suffering from asbestosis can develop COPD. It is common for mesothelioma patients to have COPD. There are similarities in Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Diseases and mesothelioma and asbestosis; one such commonality is that Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease affects individuals older than forty years. Another similarity is that Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease is caused by the inhalation of toxic substances including asbestos. Further, the inhalation often took place at work places.

Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease is linked to asbestos because of how commonly asbestos was used in industrial and/or manufacturing companies during the twentieth century. This directly impacted on employees who worked in these manufacturing companies; workers inhaled asbestos fibers and later developed Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease. When lungs had weakened as a result of Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease it made them prone to other asbestos related illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis.

A Swedish study on construction workers reported the mortality rate for Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease to be more than two and half times higher in participants exposed to airborne toxins such as and including asbestos.