What is leather lung?

Leather lung is the term used to describe the irreversible damage to the lungs that can occur when large quantities of toxic fumes or chemicals are inhaled.

Causes

Leather lung is a rare disease caused by prolonged exposure to chemicals that can damage the structure of the lungs, causing them to become stiff and fibrotic. The fibrosis results in a decline in lung function which gradually worsens with continued exposure.

The condition has previously been observed when individuals have inhaled smoke fumes following a house fire, and after exposure to certain toxic fumes including diacetyl. Diacetyl is a chemical butter flavoring which has been linked to lung damage in workers exposed to the vaporized flavoring in some popcorn plants.

Symptoms

Symptoms of leather lung include:

Dyspnea (shortness of breath)

Cough

Wheezing

Chest tightness

Lung scarring

Treatment

As the condition is caused by irreparable lung damage, treatment options are limited.

Supportive treatment measures like bronchodilators and pulmonary rehabilitation can help improve symptoms.

In severe cases, lung transplant may be the only treatment option.

Avoiding further exposure to the harmful chemical is the primary way to prevent leather lung.