Many causes of lung disease are known and can be prevented by avoiding irritants in the air, according to WomensHealth.gov, the website for the National Women's Health Information Center. Homes and offices may contain chemicals that cause lung disease, but they can be inspected to eliminate possible dangers.
Smoking
Smoke from cigarettes, cigars and pipes is the leading cause of lung disease, WomensHealth.gov says. Smoking is also responsible for most cases of lung cancer, CancerHelp UK notes. The longer and the more a person smokes increases the risk of getting lung cancer. Smoking is a main cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Passive or secondhand smoke may also play a role in lung cancer, but it may depend on how much and how often a person is exposed to smoke.
Radon Gas
Radon comes from the radioactive breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. People can be exposed to it in the air. The gas cannot be seen or smelled, but it may cause thousands of deaths each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Radon can cause problems in homes, schools and workplaces. A kit can be purchased at many hardware stores to find out if the home has radon present, according to WomensHealth.gov. Testing only takes a few minutes. Qualified testers can be found through state radon offices, according to the EPA. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Occupational Factors
Long-term exposure to asbestos fibers, silica dust or hard metal for people working with or near these materials can cause serious lung damage, the Mayo Clinic says. Asbestos fibers can break down and float in the air. A person who inhales the particles risks having them enter and stick to the lungs, increasing the risk of lung cancer, WomensHealth.gov says. People exposed to chemical fumes, ammonia or chlorine gases also face serious lung problems. Damage to the lungs can also result from chronic exposure to grain, sugar cane and dust from bird and animal droppings, the Mayo Clinic explains. Poorly maintained humidifiers and hot tubs can carry bacterial or fungal overgrowth that cause lung damage.
Air Pollution
Exposure to car exhaust and other air pollutants may contribute to lung cancer, asthma and other lung diseases, according to WomensHealth.gov. Lung cancer risks may increase by about a third for people living in areas with high levels of pollution from vehicles, according to CancerHelp UK. China and India have an increased lung cancer risk because of exposure to coal for cooking and heating homes that leads to high levels of smoke, CancerHelp UK says.
