Abstract
Emphysema is a chronic, progressive form of a lung disease. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis both are grouped within the same disease state called as COPD, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is one of the prevailing cause of morbidity and mortality in both developing and industrialized countries. There are several risk factors associated with emphysema, but, cigarette smoking is predominant factor leading to pathological variations in lung function. However, significant published literature also indicates that about 15% of all the cases of emphysema is environment-related with developing countries at highest risk. Although, there are many published literature regarding the risk factors, epidemiological evidences, diagnosis, management and prevention of emphysema, but very few explains the biochemical and physiological changes associated with environmental carcinogens. This review will help in further understanding the mechanism underlying the changes.