Rock drillers with CT confirmed emphysema had significantly higher MMP-12 concentrations than those without emphysema on CT (GM 33.0 ng/L; 95% CI 24.2–45.0 vs. GM 19.7 ng/L; 95% CI 16.6–23.3, p = 0.03), while ptx3 concentrations were significantly lower (AM 1790 ng/L; 95% CI 200–3379 vs. AM 3919 ng/L; 95% CI 3167–4672, p = 0.048). Here, MMP12 is linked to pulmonary emphysema.