Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by an increased obstruction in airways. Its development is caused by the inflammatory reaction in bronchi and lungs caused by risk factors which irritate the mucous membrane. Despite the fact that the most important causal factor of COPD is still smoking cigarettes, there are new studies in the literature which connect the probability of the develoment of COPD with a long-term exposure to dust in working environment. Relationship to the development of COPD was described especially at the beginning of observations in mineral dusts in mining industry, gases in metallurgy of iron metals and in processing and producing aluminium. Health consequences of exposure to biological dusts were proven gradually. The most frequent specific factors related to the higher incidence of COPD are presented in studies undertaken in the environment with the dust containing free silica oxide, welding smoke, woden dust, asbestos, and evaporation of organic solvents. The fields related to higher prevalence of COPD include building industry, processing of leather, rubber and plastic materials, textile industry, food industry, painting with spray colours and welding. Legislation in some countries recognizes COPD as the occupational disease under certain conditions. This is not possible in our country so far. Deeper study of these problems will be necessary for further clarification of causal relationships between professional exposure to various dusts and the development of COPD.

        Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, occupational diseases, professional exposure to dust