Healthylungs are made of a spongy, pinkish-gray tissue. lungs that have become polluted with harmful carcinogens (substances that cause cancer) or carbon particles appear to have blacked spots on the surface. healthy lungs are elastic so they can expand when you exhale. in contrast, a disease like emphysema causes the lungs to lose their. How your lungs work. your lungs bring fresh oxygen into your body. they remove the carbon dioxide and other waste gases that your body's doesn't need. to breathe in (inhale), you use the muscles of your rib cage especially the major muscle, the diaphragm. is financial and political support to conquer malaria, lung diseases and intestinal healthy living standards, lights, computers, the internet, clean hospitals, How The Lungs Work Nhlbi Nih Keep your lungs strong with exercise. there is some evidence that cardiovascular exercise -anything that makes your heart beat faster -can help your lungs work better, edelman says. How lungs work. the ...