[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the interior environment]

Abstract

Introduction: In COPD, the risk attributable to smoking is very variable according to published studies. A significant number shows that the risk of COPD in non-smokers is far from negligible. The links between COPD and pollution of the interior environment vary between developed and developing countries.

State of the art: In developing countries, numerous studies have shown a link between COPD and exposure to substances derived from the combustion of biomass fuels, particularly in women where the exposure is the greatest. Nevertheless, a cause and effect relationship has not always been demonstrated. In developed countries, there is no evidence of a role of exposure to domestic interior pollution in the genesis of COPD and interior pollutants such as NO₂ and particulates seem only to aggravate already existing COPD.

Conclusion: Further studies are necessary to evaluate their role in COPD and explore the underlying mechanisms. Irritative phenomena could be involved.

Keywords: BPCO; Biomass; Biomasse; COPD; Domestic environment; Environnement domestique; Interior pollutants; Polluants intérieurs.