Epidemiologic Factors in Etiology of Chronic Respiratory Disease

A statistical analysis of potential risk factors leading up to obstructive pulmonary disease has been made on 251 men from the San Diego Fire Department examined yearly for nine years. Results of pulmonary function evaluation and correlation with risk factors have been presented. In descending order of severity the factors appear to be cigarette smoking, history of pulmonary infection, death of one or both parents, history of allergy, family history of respiratory abnormalities and occupational hazard prior to employment with the San Diego Fire Department.