“Can general anesthesia damage lungs?”

It causes lung collapse in the bases called atelectasis, which increases risk for pneumonia.

Not the anesthetics but trauma can occur with placement of the endotracheal tube or microscopic damage from excessive ventilation.

Anesthetic gases and IV anesthetics do not specifically harm the lungs. Lung damage can potentially occur if there is aspiration of stomach contents, causing chemical pneumonitis. Barotrauma to the lungs can occur if the lungs are mechanically overinflated by positive pressure, but healthy lungs are usually compliant enough to handle it. Severe allergic reaction affecting the lungs is very rare.