Can I get COPD if I don't smoke?

Yes, while smoking is the leading cause of COPD in countries with high standards of living, globally, the burning of biomass (organic matter from plants and animals) in poorly ventilated environments is a significant cause. Non-smokers can also develop the condition due to other risk factors, including chronic inhalational exposure to harmful chemicals or a genetic predisposition to injury, such as with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, whereby patients are unable to repair damage to the lungs effectively.