Another Hazard of Smoking: Bullous Disease of the Lung

Abstract

During an 11-month period, in a 1969 to 1970 photofluorographic survey for bullous disease of the lu,ng in adults 25 years or older, 59 men with the disease were found among 23,356 men, a rate of 2.5 per 1,000. Only one case was found among 21,531 women. The rates were higher in those over 44-years-old than in those between 25 and 44; they were higher in nonwhite than in white men.When the estimated rates for smoking and occupational exposure were calculated from data obtained by interview of approximately a 5% sample of this population, not a single case of bullous disease was found in a nonsmoker, and the rates were higher in those exposed to hazardous materials at work, particularly if the worker recalled respiratory symptoms during this exposure.

Bullous Disease of the Lung and Cannabis Smoking: Insufficient Evidence for a Causative Link

“…Bullous disease is neither a rare nor a new disease. [15][16][17][18][19][20][23][24][25] Based on epidemiological data, among 100 000 men in the age group of the cases reported, one might find 116 with bullae evident on chest radiography. Cannabis smoking is common, so the two will occur together by coincidence.…”

“…In a 5% sample no bullae were found in non smokers. 16 In a subsequent publication intriguingly entitled 'Bullous lung disease in short order cooks' they discovered that it was three times higher in those exposed to cooking fumes possibly related to deep frying and working over grills. 17…”

Bullous disease of the lung and cannabis smoking: insufficient evidence for a causative link

“…[15][16][17][18][19][20][23][24][25] Based on epidemiological data, among 100 000 men in the age group of the cases reported, one might find 116 with bullae evident on chest radiography. Cannabis smoking is common, so the two will occur together by coincidence.…”