LAUSR

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a well-known leading cause of morbidity and mortality with increased socio-economic burden.1 Tobacco smoking and the inhalation of toxic particles, gases and outdoor air pollution are main risk factors that lead to COPD, and host factors of accelerated lung aging can also contribute to its development. We can easily expect that the “longer” we expose ourselves to “environmental factors” mentioned above, the more likely we are to develop COPD. The life expectancy of the population in Korea has increased by approximately 21 years from 62.3 years in 1970 to 83.6 years in 2021. We will reach the super-aged society by 2025, with those aged 65 or older making up 20% or more of the total population at an unprecedentedly fast pace.2 Furthermore, from an environmental standpoint, the level of fine dust in South Korea is about 1.5 to 2 times higher than that of other cities such as London, Tokyo, and Paris.