enphysema from smoking or cehemical exposure

[danimal]

I been diagnosed with COPD and enphysema and was told that it was practialy unheard of for a 25 year old
i been smoking on and off for 8 years and never went over a pack a day how ever i worked at a cehemical factory and was exposed 8 to 12 hours every day i worked and i was taken to the hospital by ambulance due to toxin exposure twice within a four week time frame and the company refused to provide protective epument so i asking what is the most likley cause in my case
thank you
        daniel

ps i worked at that plant over two years

pss sorry about my spelling

[National Jewish]

There is a good possibility that you may have an inherited form of emphysema, called alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.  This condition makes your lungs very sensitive to the effects of chemicals and cigarette smoke.  It is the result of not having enough of a major protein, called alpha1-antitrypsin, in the blood.  To tell if you have this condition a blood test is done that measures the amount of alpha1-antitrypsin.  A lung specialist would be able to help with treatment.  You should never smoke again.  Also you should never again work in a chemical factory or anyplace like it.  Please read our Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency of Inherited Emphysema MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/alpha1.html for more information.