[Occupational exposures should be considered in all patients with non-malignant respiratory diseases].

Occupational exposures to gas, fumes, dust and chemicals contribute to non-malignant respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and community-acquired pneumonia in more than one in ten patients. They may be sick due to inhaling various particles, gases, fumes, or chemicals in the workplace. Hence, these exposures should be considered in all patients with non-malignant respiratory diseases. In an international literature review the occupational burden of asthma was 16%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 14%, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 26% and community-acquired pneumonia 10%.