tuberculosis, and over the next 20 years tubercu-
losis dramatically subsided in developed countries.
Tuberculosis resurfaced as a significant health
threat with the emergence of HIV/AIDS in the
1990s, however, with new strains of the bacillus
that were resistant to previously successful antibi-
otics. New generations of antibiotics have become
available, though M. tuberculosis continues to
mutate into resistant forms. Today, this destructive
infection of the lungs persists.
With the advent of modern industrialization
came a surge of induced diseases, many of which
exposed the lungs to various particulates such as
coal dust (miner’s lung), silica (grinder’s rot), and
plant fibers (mill FEVER). These and other occupa-
tional lung diseases have disabled and killed mil-
lions of people through the centuries and
continue to threaten health even today despite
precautions to reduce the risks of exposure.
Miner’s lung (ANTHRACOSIS), also called black
lung, once disabled nearly every coal miner who
worked longer than a few years in the mines and
today remains a significant occupational disease
threat. SILICOSIS, long a risk for workers in occupa-
tions with exposure to sand dust, appears in the
lungs of mummies from ancient Egypt, a conse-
quence of the intensely blowing sands of the
region, and in the lungs of contemporary workers
in quarries, potteries, and industries that use sand-
blasting. Although new exposures to asbestos are
uncommon, the long time from exposure to the
development of disease means symptoms arise in
people today whose exposure through employ-
ment (such as shipbuilding or insulation work)
took place decades ago. Though not as common as
before modern ventilation and dust control mech-
anisms became commonplace, long-term inhala-
tion of cotton fibers by textile workers results in
BYSSINOSIS—mill fever.
Today lung disease related to industrial practices
remains a key component of public health. The use
of respirators, exhaust venting, and exposure limi-
tations helps reduce, but does not completely pre-
vent, occupational lung diseases. Some of these
conditions are treatable; others are progressive or
cause permanent damage. General air pollution
resulting from industrial and motor vehicle exhaust
accounts for much ASTHMA, chronic BRONCHITIS,
PNEUMONITIS, and other ailments of the lungs.
ENVIRONMENTAL CIGARETTE SMOKE (secondhand
smoke) has further emerged as a dangerous and
potentially lethal toxin of exposure. The air that
bears life-giving oxygen also transports, sometimes
unknowingly, the agents of lung damage.OCCUPATIONAL LUNG CONDITIONS
ANTHRACOSIS ASBESTOSIS
ASTHMA BERYLLIOSIS
BYSSINOSISchronic BRONCHITIS HYPERSENSITIVITY PNEUMONITIS
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISORDERS mesothelioma
PULMONARY FIBROSIS SILICOSISBreakthrough Research and Treatment Advances
The unraveling of the human GENOME has pro-
duced significant breakthroughs in understanding
and treating health conditions affecting all body
systems. Key discoveries related to pulmonary dis-
orders have in particular improved treatment for
CYSTIC FIBROSIS, once a disease that claimed the
lives of its victims before they reached ADOLES-
CENCE. Today it is more common than not for
those who have cystic fibrosis to enjoy reasonable
QUALITY OF LIFEinto their early 30s, with new treat-
ments based on GENE THERAPYshowing great prom-
ise for arresting the progress of this debilitating
genetic disorder. LUNG TRANSPLANTATIONis emerging
as a promising, viable treatment for end-stage pul-
monary disease resulting from disorders such as
cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, CHRONIC
OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD), and PUL-
MONARY FIBROSIS.180 The Pulmonary System