Causes of Scleroderma: Environmental
| Artificial Joints/Implants Asbestos Air Pollution Drugs/Meds Environmental Toxins Infections |
Mercury (Amalgam) Radiation Silica Solvents Vaccinations Vinyl Chloride Disease |
Overview of Environmental Causes of Systemic Sclerosis
Topics covered include exposure to cadmium, mercury (dental amalgam), solvents (such as paint thinners), radiation, and silica as either known or suspected causes of autoimmune diseases or scleroderma. (Also see Causes of Scleroderma, What is Scleroderma?, Types of Scleroderma, and Systemic Sclerosis)
Potential occupational and environmental factors in systemic sclerosis (SSc) onset. Although the pathogenesis of scleroderma remains unclear, there is a marked correlation between the onset of SSc and certain environmental or occupational factors. PubMed, Ann Agric Environ Med, 2018 Dec 19;25(4):596-601.
Artificial Joints and Silicone Breast Implants
Causes of Scleroderma: Artificial Joints and Silicone Breast Implants. Are some cases of connective tissue disease, such as scleroderma, related to artificial joints or silicone breast implants? ISN.
| Device Implantation Research | Personal Stories Related to Implants |
Asbestos
Asbestos exposure is a possible cause of scleroderma.
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Air Pollution
Differential effects of diesel exhaust particles on T cell differentiation and autoimmune disease. These data further suggest that bioavailability and metabolism of organics, especially PAHs, may have an important role in vivo. PubMed, Part Fibre Toxicol, 2018 Aug 24;15(1):35.
Drugs and Medications
Causes of Scleroderma: Drugs and Medications Some medications and street drugs are known or thought to induce scleroderma or Raynaud's, such as Bleomycin, Cocaine, Marijuana, and Paclitaxel (Taxanes). ISN.
Environmental Toxins
A Potential Link between Environmental Triggers and Autoimmunity. It appears that there are common mechanisms in the immunopathogenesis of multiple autoimmune reactivities. In genetically susceptible individuals, environmental triggers such as xenobiotics and P. gingivalis can, respectively, induce the formation of neoantigens, or be capable of inducing the citrullination of host proteins and converting them to autoantigens. Autoimmune Diseases, Article ID 437231.
Phyllis C: Scleroderma How many new cases are coming up now from people that were at the World Trade Center? I was there along with co-workers that are very ill now…
Infection
Causes of Scleroderma: Infections Researchers have long suspected an infection component may be involved as the trigger of some cases of scleroderma. ISN.
| Overview Infection (General) Bacterial Infections Borrelia Burgdorferi |
HIV/AIDS Nanobacteria Persistent Infection Study Viral Infection |
Mercury Exposure (Dental Amalgam)
Causes of Scleroderma: Mercury Exposure (Dental Amalgam) covers recent research indicating that there may be a link between mercury exposure and autoimmune diseases. ISN.
| Overview of Mercury Exposure Dental Amalgam | Media Stories |
Radiation
Radiation and Scleroderma. There is an increased rate of cancer among scleroderma patients. ISN.
Silica
Silica Exposure. Silica exposure can cause autoimmune diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, and vasculitis. ISN.
| Overview Diseases Caused by Silica Silica Materials |
Silicosis Silica and Scleroderma Occupational Exposure |
Solvents (Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Paint Thinners and Removers)
Causes of Scleroderma: Solvents. Occupational exposure to solvents such as benzene, trichloroethylene, paint thinners and paint removers may be a cause of scleroderma in some cases. ISN.
| Overview Case Reports |
Scleroderma and Camp LeJeune Patient Stories |
Vaccinations
Causes of Scleroderma: Vaccinations. Vaccinations have been suspected as a cause of scleroderma, in a few cases. ISN.
| Overview of Vaccinations and Scleroderma Vaccinations and Autoimmune Disease |
Heptatitis B Vaccination and Diffuse Scleroderma Vaccinations and Morphea Scleroderma |
Vinyl Chloride and Vinyl Choride Disease
Causes of Scleroderma: Vinyl Chloride Exposure to vinyl chloride has been found to cause acroosteolysis, angiosarcoma, brain cancer, leukemia, liver disease, Raynaud's, scleroderma, and "vinyl chloride disease". ISN.
Personal Stories Related to Environmental Exposures
Marthie D: CREST Scleroderma I live in a small town, which developed around a chemical and petrochemical industry in this area in South Africa…
SCLERO.ORG was the world's leading nonprofit for trustworthy research, support, education and awareness for scleroderma and related illnesses from 1998 to 2021. It was a grassroots movement from the original Scleroderma from A to Z web site, which was founded by Shelley Ensz. We were a 501(c)(3) U.S.-based public charitable foundation. We closed this web site and our nonprofit agency in April 2021.