Can my workplace give me chronic bronchitis?

Nine out of 10 cases of chronic bronchitis are caused by smoking; however, the remaining 10 percent often involve cases in which the bronchitis was caused by other air pollutants. If you have a job that exposes you to a large amount of dust, paint fumes, paint thinner fumes, or other hazardous gases, your workplace might be putting you at risk for chronic bronchitis. If you do work in such conditions, make sure you're always wearing proper protection, like a mask over your nose and mouth. If you still find yourself experiencing symptoms of chronic bronchitis, a change in occupation may be advisable.