It's the name of a lung disease. It is severe damage to the sacs or pulmonary alveoli, so the person cannot properly take advantage of oxygen from the air and breathes poorly. It is a class of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). It can be caused by permanent effect of fumes, smoking, exposure to dust or other particles. People who cook with firewood suffer from pulmonary emphysema even if they are not smokers.
