What are the dark areas/spots on the lungs?

Guests of the museum have the opportunity to participate in an interactive demononstration of the effects of smoking on the lungs.   A comparison is made between a pair of pig lungs, one of which is healthy and the other is diseased from smoking.

A network of branching airsacs called alveoli bring oxygen into the lungs and expel carbon dioxide from the body.  When these sacs become filled with toxins and tar from smoking, they collapse and no longer function.  They appear dark and gummy to the naked eye.  

The American Lung Association estimates that 440,000 Americans die each year from diseases related to smoking.  Furthermore, secondhand smoke includes close to 69 known cancer causing agents.  Even smokless tobacco users are at risk for many types of cancer.  Remember, smoking is a choice and all of the harm it causes to the respiratory tract is preventable.       

---

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

• The Baby Is As Big As — Month 1