Asbestos exposure does not directly cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but it can increase a person's risk of developing the condition. COPD may weaken the lungs, making a person more susceptible to additional asbestos-related diseases.

Can COPD be related to asbestos?

People who have asbestosis, a lung disease caused by asbestos, may develop COPD as a complication. Asbestos is also a known cause of pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, and it is not uncommon for mesothelioma patients to also have COPD.

Can asbestos cause respiratory problems?

Asbestosis (as-bes-TOE-sis) is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and usually don't appear until many years after continued exposure.