Causes of Lung Disease

Known causes of lung disease include:

• Smoking. If you smoke, talk with your health care provider about the steps you can take to quit smoking. If you live with someone who smokes, talk with him or her about quitting. Being around second-hand smoke also increases your chances of getting lung disease. Bear in mind that smoking includes not just cigarettes, but cigars and pipes as well.

• Exposure to radon gas. Radon, a gas that occurs in the soil and rocks, can damage the lungs, which may lead to lung cancer. People who work in mines may be exposed to radon, and in some parts of the U.S., radon is found in houses. You can measure radon in your home with a kit you can buy at most hardware stores.

• Asbestos. Asbestos is natural fiber that comes from minerals. The fibers tend to break apart easily, into small particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes. When a person inhales these particles, they can stick in the lungs, damage cells, and lead to lung cancer. Asbestos workers in jobs like shipbuilding, asbestos mining and manufacturing, car repair (brake repair), and insulation work should wear protective clothing. Asbestos workers who also smoke have an even higher risk for lung cancer.

• Pollution. Research shows a link between lung cancer and certain air pollutants, such as car exhaust. More studies are needed to find out if pollution causes lung cancer.

Some lung diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB), put a person more at risk for lung cancer. Lung cancer tends to develop in the areas of the lung that are scarred from TB.