‘How my workplace exposed me to COPD’: James’ story

What is COPD, and what causes it?

COPD is an umbrella term for a group of progressive lung diseases that make it harder to breathe over time, most commonly emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Some people with COPD may also have asthma.

COPD is increasingly recognised as a major global health challenge. In December 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a new political declaration on noncommunicable diseases that includes chronic respiratory diseases among the conditions requiring stronger prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.⁴ The World Health Organization is also developing new guidelines to support the diagnosis and management of COPD in primary care.⁵

Symptoms may initially be mistaken for ageing, poor fitness or the effects of smoking, and they include:

• shortness of breath
• wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing
• frequent lung infections
• lack of energy
• swelling in ankles, feet or legs
• coughing
• increased mucus production

Smoking remains a major cause of COPD. However, occupational exposure is also a significant risk factor, with international research suggesting that more than one in seven cases may be linked to workplace exposures.⁶

Workers may be exposed to harmful substances such as cotton, flour, mineral and wood dust, as well as welding fumes, diesel exhaust, pesticides, chemicals and gases, all of which can contribute to the development of COPD.

Which workers may be exposed to COPD risks?

Some occupational risks are well recognised in industries such as mining, construction, quarrying, welding and agriculture. However, harmful workplace exposures can occur across a much broader range of jobs.

• construction, mining, quarrying and manufacturing: silica, mineral dust, welding fumes, diesel exhaust and other airborne contaminants
• agriculture and farming: organic dusts, pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals
• firefighting and emergency response: smoke, dust and other airborne contaminants encountered during fires and emergency response
• cleaning, textile and food preparation work: cleaning chemicals, textile dust, flour and other airborne substances
• hairdressing, beauty and nail services: repeated exposure to aerosols, vapours, dust and chemicals.

COPD in women

COPD has historically been associated with male-dominated industries and smoking patterns, but women can also face significant occupational risks. In 2024, chronic lower respiratory diseases, a group of conditions that includes COPD, were the fourth leading cause of death among Australian women, and the second leading cause of death among women aged 75–84.⁷

Workers in industries such as cleaning, textiles, food preparation, hairdressing and beauty services may experience repeated exposure to dust, fumes, aerosols and chemicals. Recognising these occupational exposures is important when assessing a person's individual risk factors and work history.

Women may also experience delays in receiving a COPD diagnosis. This is particularly concerning given research indicating that women with COPD may experience more frequent exacerbations, or flare-ups, of their symptoms.⁸

James’ story: when work-related COPD is overlooked

James' experience shows how work-related exposure can be overlooked when someone is diagnosed with COPD, particularly if they also have a history of smoking.

For 20 years, James worked as a project firefighter and field services officer in regional Victoria, helping protect local communities, parks and reserves. However, every day he went to work, he was unknowingly exposing himself to substances that could have serious consequences for his health.

Throughout his career, James worked around herbicides, pesticides, fumigants, firefighting foams, fire retardants, smoke and other chemicals. He attended fires across Victoria, used chemical agents to help contain them, sprayed weeds in parks and reserves, and carried out wildlife fumigation work.

Despite these regular exposures, James was not provided with respiratory protection until late in his career.