[Risk factors of chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy]

After a preliminary discussion on the definition of COPD, the author points out the risk factors of COPD in indoor and outdoor environment. An increase in airway disease and particularly in COPD has been reported in children and elderly people in the areas with higher environmental pollution. Indoor pollution has been more recently investigated and most studies identify passive tobacco smoke as the major risk factor of COPD. At present, the role of other indoor chemical pollutants, as NOx and CO, in COPD is not clear.