The most common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is cigarette smoking, although only about twenty percent of smokers develop lung disease. There are several other elements that may lead to the development of chronic obtructive pulmonary disease. The most common factors that may lead to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, when smoking is not the culprit are:

1. Work related dusts and chemicals such as vapors, irritants, and fumes

2. Indoor air pollution used for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated homes

3. Second hand smoke

4. Some patients that develop COPD have an inherited disorder known    
    as alpha-antitrypsin deficiency, which is diagnosed with a blood test

5. Childhood respiratory infections may be linked with decrease lung function