Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Disease Reduction Programme
The DRP Respiratory Disease Project is split into two parts - Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). These are generally caused by the inhalation of chemical vapours, powder, dust and dander.
We estimate that there are around 1,700 new cases of occupational asthma per year. Our aim is to promote good practice in a number of industries, including: Motor Vehicle Repair, Bakeries, Engineering and Woodworking. The following links give more detailed information:
Work-related COPD, is a lung condition that encompasses both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Evidence suggests that the combination of smoking and occupational exposures to fumes, chemicals and dusts accounts for approximately 4,000 deaths annually in the UK. COPD is a long latency disease, i.e. it can be a considerable time between exposure and any ill health symptoms appearing.
The following links give more information on COPD and industries where research suggests there is evidence of the disease.