Occupational emphysema following long-term exposure to metal fumes during electroplating in a non-smoker.

Exposure to cigarette smoke is by far the most common causative factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Occupational exposure to fumes, chemicals, dusts and environmental pollution is also an important cause of chronic productive cough. Emphysema developing as a consequence of an occupational exposure is extremely rare. We describe the rare occurrence of severe emphysema in a non-smoker male who had worked for nearly three decades in nickel electroplating industry.