Causes

Causes

Where a cause or risk factor can be identified, PF can be caused by:

• Genetics: PF can sometimes run in families
• Things in the environment: This can include air pollution, mould, birds, or other things in your surroundings
• Things at work: Breathing in things like asbestos, silica, dust or chemicals at work 
• Autoimmune diseases: These are illnesses where your body’s defense system attacks itself. Rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma are examples of these
• Medications or radiation: Some medications or radiation treatment
• Infections: Tuberculosis and bad chest infections
• Smoking: Smoking can make PF more likely.

Pulmonary fibrosis known and unknown causes

Pulmonary fibrosis with known causes

Examples

• Secondary to autoimmune disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma)
• Secondary to non-organic exposures (e.g. heavy asbestos, silica, certain medications)
• Secondary to organic exposures (e.g. hypersensitivity pneumonitis from mould or birds)
• Secondary to smoking (e.g. pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis)

Pulmonary fibrosis with no known causes (idiopathic)

Examples

• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
• Idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)
• Cryptogenic organising pneumonia (COP)

Other

Examples

• Sarcoidosis

Resources