@cholash What an interesting post and responses to it.
There is a fairly wide range of opinions even in the scientific community about how to avoid or who might be susceptible to NTMs and MAC.

Is there research that shows that ‘never smokers’ are less likely to have MAC? That might make some sense, but there needs to be scientific studies. Never smokers may have also been exposed to second hand smoke.

Exposure to soil and the peat moss in potting soil is something I try to avoid by masking or moistening the soil and working in non windy environments. I don’t swim in indoor pools. I use bottled spring water or a Lifestraw bottle when travelling.

It would be hugely beneficial if we could easily test water for NTM. With all the new technologies available, this might happen?

The pulmonologist’s statement that some people might be inherently more susceptible to these diseases should be explored if there isn’t ongoing research now.

Is there a biological cause or even a precipitous event in someone’s life that coupled with other factors causes them to develop MAC?

Thanks for posting.