Our lungs play a crucial role in the oxygenation of blood. However, besides oxygen and carbon dioxide, they are exposed to various chemicals, pollutants, and particles that can cause various lung diseases. This article explores different causes of lung diseases that are not necessarily related to common pollutants like smoke and dust.

Impact of Urban Pollution
Urban indoor pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, can exacerbate respiratory diseases like asthma. Coal dust, known as a cause of emphysema, today known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, often affects miners. However, some inhaled particles can cause specific diseases and are more common in people who have certain jobs or hobbies.

Asbestos and its Consequences
Asbestos is a natural material that was once widely used in construction and shipbuilding because of its strength and heat resistance. However, when asbestos breaks down, it releases fibers that can be inhaled. These fibers cause scarring in the lungs, known as asbestosis, and can irritate the pleura, the membrane that surrounds the lungs, further restricting their expansion.

The most serious association of asbestos is with an aggressive form of cancer known as mesothelioma, which is serious and unfortunately incurable. The spectrum of patients affected by asbestos-related diseases is not limited to men in workplaces. Many women who washed their husbands' dirty clothes were also exposed, as were children who shared the house.

Birds, Brass, and Blue Cheese
It's not just jobs that can cause certain lung diseases. Sometimes it’s hobbies and leisure activities. For example, bird lovers who keep pigeons or birds as pets should be careful with respiratory symptoms like persistent cough or shortness of breath. This is a condition known as external allergic alveolitis (EAA), characterized by inflammation of the alveoli, small air sacs in the lungs, caused by an allergic reaction to foreign particles.

Dust from feathers and bird droppings contains avian proteins that can cause lung inflammation. This is common among pigeon breeders, but also among poultry farmers and those who sell birds. Even keeping small birds like canaries or parakeets can pose a risk. Symptoms include cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. EAA can be diagnosed by radiography, blood tests, and spirometry, a test that measures lung volumes and airflow.

EAA can also be caused by other allergens, such as mold from blue cheese or mold from grapes, leading to a condition known as grape pickers' lung. Similar particles can come from coffee beans, molasses, mushrooms, and barley, each with its specific form of respiratory disease. Farmers and hay workers can also be affected by inflammatory fungi. Other sources include sawdust, fertilizers, and mosses.

Even playing musical instruments or bathing in hot tubs is not without risk. Bacteria related to those that cause tuberculosis can be inhaled from brass instruments or water bubbles, known as brass players' lung and hot tub lung. Most of these conditions can be treated with steroids, but the primary goal is to avoid exposure to the allergen. Sometimes it's easier said than done, as it can be difficult to separate from beloved pets or change careers.

It is important that doctors always ask about occupations and hobbies during consultations about respiratory symptoms so that they can determine the cause of the problem. Therefore, do not underestimate the impact of the air we breathe on our lungs, as both urban and rural air can have their impact. Inhaling different particles from the air can lead to serious health problems, so it is important to be aware of the environment in which we live and work.

One of the most important steps in preventing lung diseases is avoiding exposure to harmful particles and chemicals. This may include using protective equipment at work, maintaining cleanliness in the home and workplace, and regular medical check-ups for early detection of potential problems. Prevention is key to maintaining lung health and overall body health.

In conclusion, it is important to understand that our lungs can be affected by various factors from our environment, not just urban air pollution. Whether it's asbestos, poultry, blue cheese, or musical instruments, it is important to recognize and minimize risks to maintain the health of our lungs. Every particle we breathe in can have long-term consequences for our health, so awareness and prevention are crucial.

Original:
Dan Baumgardt
Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, University of Bristol