A medical assistant is reviewing the medical history of a patient who regularly comes into contact with coal and wood dust. The assistant should recognize that this patient is at an increased risk of developing which of the following disorders?

The patient’s regular exposure to coal and wood dust places them at an increased risk for developing emphysema. Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that is often associated with long-term exposure to airborne irritants and pollutants, including smoke and dust. Inhalation of these particles damages the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, leading to a decreased ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide efficiently. Over time, this can result in significant respiratory impairment.

While asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia are also respiratory conditions that can be influenced by environmental factors, emphysema specifically aligns with the long-term, cumulative exposure to particulates such as coal dust and wood dust. As these materials can further damage lung tissue, individuals in such occupational settings are particularly vulnerable to the destructive changes characteristic of emphysema.