The Air We Breathe: Effect of Environmental Exposures on COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic progressive disease associated with the abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases. The inflammatory responses can lead to increased sputum production, breathlessness and reduced lung function, often resulting in reduced exercise tolerance and decreased quality of life. Currently COPD is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide and it is predicted that deaths from COPD may increase by more than 30% in the next 10 years