[Occupational exposure to harmful substances and its significance in the development of chronic obstructive lung diseases].

Smoking and professional influence of harmful substances prevail epidemiologically in the etiology of chronic obstructive lung diseases. Often, both factors act additively. Chronic obstructive lung disease of irritative and allergic pathogenesis are steadily increasing in the statistics of GDR. Dust of mineral, animal and vegetable origin are prevailing, however, chemical inhalative damages are gaining increasing significance. The problem of demarcating occupational from nonoccupational influence factors is discussed.