National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), drawing from a representative sample of the U.S. adult population, identifies industries and occupations with a higher-than-expected prevalence of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). The study also estimates the fraction of cases with COPD attributable to work in such "at-risk" industries and occupations. To NIOSH's knowledge, this was the first study that has developed such an estimate from U.S. population-based data. NIOSH noted that the purpose of the study was to stimulate questions that will lead to further, focused research in this critical area of public health. In so doing, the findings provide scientists, health professionals, and others with new leads for research and interventions to reduce the occurrence of chronic obstructive lung disease, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema and is the fourth leading cause of death in the general U.S. population. Results included these:
The study was published in the October 15, 2002, issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. It was based on a sample of 9,823 individuals, 30 to 75 years old, drawn from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted by CDC's National Center for Health Statistics from 1988 to 1994. The methods of the study took into account various potential confounding factors such as age, sex, race/ethnic group, education, income, and smoking. However, because of limitations in its data and approach, the study did not identify all industries and occupations where exposures are hazardous; for example, mining was not identified as a high-risk industry. COPD is included among several priority areas identified by NIOSH and its partners under the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) for research that will do the most to protect workers from job-related illnesses and injuries. NORA was developed and implemented by NIOSH and diverse outside partners with input and review by more than 500 individuals and organizations. For further information on NIOSH research pertaining to COPD and other job-related respiratory diseases, call toll-free 1-800-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) or visit the NIOSH web page at www.cdc.gov/niosh. For more information on NORA, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora. This document appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent. eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not responsible for the accuracy of information provided on this web site, nor for its use or misuse. eLCOSH | CDC | NIOSH | Site Map | Search | Links | Help | Contact Us | Privacy Policy |