“Over time, exposure to irritants that damage your lungs and airways can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The main cause of COPD is smoking, but nonsmokers can get COPD too.  Other risk factors for COPD include:  Exposure to air pollution, Breathing secondhand smoke, Working with chemicals, dust and fumes, A genetic condition called Alpha-1 deficiency and A history of childhood respiratory infection.”.

American Lung Association (www.lung.org)