Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that usually refers to chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Patients have difficulty breathing, and over time, the symptoms get worse. The main cause of COPD is smoking, but environmental toxins like pollution, chemical fumes, or exposure to workplace dust can also trigger the disease.
"My primary support since being diagnosed with Mesothelioma, over 2 years ago, has been this company. Their monthly nationwide support group has been a tremendou...." see more
Mary L.
Mesothelioma Patient
"I found out about The Mesothelioma Center while researching Peritoneal Mesothelioma days after being diagnosed with malignant cancer. While a lot of the 'Mesoth...." see more
Karen F.
Mesothelioma Patient
"I just want to take this time to thank Mesothelioma Center for all the information you provide. The survival stories are inspiring and give hope where hope is n...." see more
Richard D.
Mesothelioma Patient
"My brother was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. I began researching it online. The information I received from The Mesothelioma Center is all-inclusive. No...." see more
Cindy W.
Sister of a Mesothelioma Patient
"My father was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. We, as a family, were devastated. We were uncertain where to even start, so we reached out to The Mesothelio...." see more
People who have asbestosis, a lung disease caused by asbestos, may develop COPD as a complication. Asbestos is a cause of pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. It is not uncommon for mesothelioma patients to also have COPD.
COPD is a disease that damages the lungs and causes difficulty breathing.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 12 million Americans are diagnosed with COPD each year. An additional 12 million remain undiagnosed. This disease is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Generally, the disease is more common in people older than 40. Studies show that patients can expect to live 12-18 years after a COPD diagnosis, depending on the severity of the disease.
Typically, COPD develops slowly, and symptoms such as cough, increased mucus production, difficulty sleeping, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and wheezing gradually worsen as the illness progresses. COPD affects the lungs’ elasticity, which makes it difficult for a patient to exhale correctly.
Complications include high blood pressure, heart attack and a higher risk of respiratory infections – including pneumonia, which can cause severe problems for COPD sufferers.
Correlation Between Asbestos and COPD
Inhalation of asbestos fibers from loose debris can cause COPD.
The inhalation of foreign fumes or substances can cause COPD. These irritants are often inhaled at the workplace. Asbestos materials were present at many industrial job sites. Workers who inhale chemicals, dust and fumes are at risk of developing COPD. Lungs that COPD weakens may also be much more susceptible to additional lung damage caused by asbestos.
Various scientific studies have reported a statistically significant incidence of COPD among those exposed to toxic materials such as asbestos and silica. Asbestos and COPD are associated, but research has not yet established a causal relationship.
A 2020 study published in Environmental Research and Public Health reported a marginal association between COPD and asbestos exposure among insulators. Researchers stated asbestos may cause airflow limitation in the presence of other substances, vapors, gases, and dust. The study also found that chest infections were significantly associated with asbestos exposure.
A Swedish study of 316,729 construction workers found the mortality rate from COPD was more than two and a half times higher in participants who had exposure to airborne toxins, including asbestos than in patients without exposure to toxic dust on the job. Exposure to inorganic dust even affected participants who had never smoked and were, therefore, at a considerably low risk of developing COPD.
Another study published in the Environmental Health journal in 2011 found that COPD caused by occupational exposure to dust or fumes caused about 375,000 deaths and 3,804,000 years of healthy life lost globally in one year.
Asbestos doesn’t directly cause COPD, but it can cause people to become more susceptible to the risk factors that cause COPD.
Symptoms
When someone first gets the disease, there may be few symptoms. Because COPD is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time, symptoms typically worsen the longer someone has the disease.
Symptoms of COPD
Cough with a lot of mucus
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath during physical activity
Getting sick often with colds or the flu
Lower muscle endurance
Swelling in ankles, feet or legs (edema)
Tightness in the chest
Weight loss
Wheezing
As the disease progresses, the air sacs in the lungs will expand less, and there may be more fluid and mucus in the lungs. This makes it increasingly difficult to breathe and get enough oxygen.
Severe COPD Symptoms of COPD
Blue or gray lips or fingernails (signs of low blood oxygen)
Difficulty breathing and talking
Lack of mental alertness
Rapid heartbeat
Symptoms get worse
Over time, everyday activities like walking or climbing stairs can become challenging. Due to the strain on their heart and lungs, people with advanced COPD might experience chronic fatigue, weight loss and swelling in their ankles, feet or legs. Regular medical check-ups and early intervention can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Don Berlin
Verified Asbestos.com Survivor
COPD and Mesothelioma Survivor Shares His Story
Berlin worked as a maintenance painter at a General Motors plant in Ohio. In 2009, he realized something was wrong. He was out of breath much too quickly. The dry cough and chest tightness were puzzling. Doctors diagnosed him with pleural mesothelioma. Berlin also was diagnosed with COPD, but he has learned to live with it, slowing his pace but hardly stopping him.
Diagnosing COPD
A spirometer test can help doctors make a COPD diagnosis before symptoms appear.
To diagnose COPD, doctors look at the symptoms, family history, medical history, and the results of special tests to measure lung health and function. The primary test used to diagnose COPD is called spirometry. Spirometry uses a spirometer to calculate the amount and speed of air the patient can blow out. The test is painless and non-invasive, and the patient blows into a tube connected to the spirometer. The doctor may also take another reading after giving the patient some medicine to help open the airways in the lungs to see how well the medicine works.
Using this test, a doctor can detect COPD before symptoms appear. It can also help doctors rule out other causes of symptoms, such as heart failure or asthma.
If you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and have been diagnosed with COPD, there may be a relation between the exposure complicating this disease. It is helpful to speak to your doctor about your exposure and to determine if your condition is a complication of asbestosis.
Image tests are also useful for diagnosing COPD. Using chest X-rays or CT scans, doctors can check the amount of damage in the lungs and rule out heart failure or other conditions.
Low blood oxygen is another sign of COPD. Doctors order an arterial blood gas test to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. If it is too low, the patient may need oxygen therapy.
Doctors will stage COPD based on the severity of the damage in the lungs. This staging helps them decide on an appropriate treatment plan.
Free Mesothelioma Treatment Guide
Receive a free guide with the latest information on emerging treatments and clinical trials.
Unfortunately, there is not yet a cure for COPD. However, several treatments can improve a patient’s quality of life and slow down lung damage.
COPD Treatments
Lifestyle Changes: Quitting smoking, avoiding second-hand smoke or toxic fumes, eating a healthy diet with adequate nutrients, and getting safe levels of physical activity can improve symptoms and keep lungs from degrading.
Medications: Bronchodilators are medicines that relax the muscles in the airways, allowing more oxygen into the body by making it easier to breathe. These are usually delivered through an inhaler. If the COPD is more severe, bronchodilators may be mixed with steroids in an inhaler to reduce inflammation. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotics to fight respiratory infections or steroids to reduce inflammation during flare-ups. Because people with COPD can have severe complications from respiratory infections, doctors recommend vaccines for the flu and pneumonia.
Oxygen Therapy: This type of therapy increases the oxygen in the blood. Oxygen is delivered through nasal prongs or a face mask. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, oxygen may be used at certain times throughout the day or all day.
Surgery: Many times, the air sac walls in the lungs are destroyed and create large spaces in the lungs called bullae. A bullectomy is a surgery that removes some of these spaces to reduce difficulty in breathing. Other surgeries involve removing damaged parts of the lung to help the lung work better. Lung transplants may also be an option.
Patients can adjust their home environment to make breathing easier. They should avoid cold or smoke-polluted air, and smokers are strongly urged to quit. Those with COPD may also benefit from joining a rehabilitation program or support group.
The sources on all content featured in The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com include medical and scientific studies, peer-reviewed studies and other research documents from reputable organizations.
Moitra, S. et al. (2020, September). Non-Malignant Respiratory Illnesses in Association with Occupational Exposure to Asbestos and Other Insulating Materials: Findings from the Alberta Insulator Cohort. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/19/7085
Shavelle, R.M., Paculdo, D.R., Kush, S.J., Mannino, D.M. & Strauss, D.J. (2009). Life expectancy and years of life lost in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Findings from the NHANES III follow-up study. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2672796/
Recommended Reading
Tell us what you think
Did this article help you?
How did this article help you?
What about this article isn’t helpful for you?
Did this article help you?
Thank you for your feedback. Would you like to speak with a Patient Advocate?
Your web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security, speed and compatibility.
If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at (855) 404-4592
Who Am I Calling?
Calling this number connects you with a Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center, the nation's most trusted mesothelioma resource.
Our Patient Advocates can help guide you or your loved one through the steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Our team has a combined experience of more than 30 years in assisting cancer patients, and includes a medical doctor, an oncology registered nurse and a U.S. Navy veteran.
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
Reviewed
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.
Selby, K. (2024, September 23). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Asbestos.com. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/copd/
A medical doctor who specializes in mesothelioma or cancer treatment reviewed the content on this page to ensure it meets current medical standards and accuracy.
Please read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our content creation and review process.
Dr. Andrea Wolf is the Director of the New York Mesothelioma Program at Mount Sinai in New York City. She focuses on multidisciplinary treatment, clinical research, community outreach and education.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Inquiries
Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families doesn’t believe in selling customer information. However, as required by the new California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you may record your preference to view or remove your personal information by completing the form below.
