Our lungs are the interface between blood and air. Their role in oxygenating our bloodstream is their primary function, and they bear the brunt of a lot more than just pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Borne upon the air are numerous chemicals, pollutants and particles that can generate many patterns of lung disease.
Inner-city pollution can lead to inhalation of gases including nitrogen dioxide, which have been shown to affect other respiratory diseases like asthma. Coal dust led to a condition known as emphysema – known today as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – in miners.
But some inhaled particles can cause unusually named diseases of their own and are more common in people who have certain jobs – or indeed certain pastimes. Asbestos is perhaps the best known example.
