things that could cause emphysema
Most emphysema causes involve repeated breathing in of fumes and other things that irritate and damage the lungs and airways. Specific causes of emphysema can include: 1  Cigarette smoking. 2  Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco.3  Certain fumes or dust. 4  Genetic factors.ost emphysema causes involve repeated breathing in of fumes and other things that irritate and damage the lungs and airways. Specific causes of emphysema can include: 1  Cigarette smoking. 2  Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco.
Emphysema Causes. Cigarette smoking is by far the most dangerous behavior that causes people to develop emphysema, and it is also the most preventable cause. Other risk factors include a deficiency of an enzyme called alpha-1-antitrypsin, air pollution, airway reactivity, heredity, male sex, and age. The pollutants cause inflammation in the airways, leading to lung tissue destruction. 2  Close relatives of people with emphysema are more likely to develop the disease themselves. 3  This is probably because the tissue sensitivity or response to smoke and other irritants may be inherited.