Could your workplace be causing your COPD symptoms?

Did you know that COPD is not just a smoker’s disease? COPD can be caused by many factors, including exposure to chemicals and toxins at home and in the workplace. If you have COPD, it is important to think about your environment and the different exposures you may have. At home, COPD symptoms can be caused by exposure to:

• Wood burning stoves or fireplaces
• Chemicals such as cleaning products, air fresheners, and fumes or gasses
• Mold and mildew
• Allergens such as dust and animal dander

While these substances can be present in your home, it is also possible for them to be present at your workplace. Think about the work that you do or have done in the past. Were you exposed to:

• Paper dust, flour or grain dusts, sawdust, metal shavings, coal dust, fabric clippings, cotton particles, or other types of dust
• Fragrances, cleaning supplies, metal or welding fumes, machine or printer exhaust, asphalt fumes, and other strong scents
• Ammonia, bleach, pesticides, and other chemicals or gasses
• Asbestos, mold, or other dangerous materials

Does your workplace have any of these hazards? It can be concerning to find out that exposure to these substances can cause COPD or make your symptoms worse. But there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to these materials so that you can breathe easier at work.

First, consider wearing a mask. Respirators and N-95 masks can be helpful at reducing your exposure to small particles, fumes, and other dangerous materials. Next, make sure that your work area is well ventilated. It is also important to think about how you clean your workspace. Consider using a vacuum rather than wiping away dust or using a broom. And if you work in an office, find out if you can move to a desk that is away from the printer. Sometimes the smell of the toner can be irritating to the lungs. You may also be able to use a small air purifier near your desk.

While it is difficult to avoid all irritants and hazards in the workplace, you can do your part to protect yourself and others. What tips do you have for protecting yourself at work?