Scleroderma Symptoms Causes Environmental

Causes of Scleroderma: Silica Exposure

Diseases Caused by Silica Exposure

Overview of Diseases Caused by Silica Exposure

Silica exposure can cause autoimmune diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, and vasculitis. It can also cause silicosis, kidney disease, lung cancer, tuberculosis, and other airways diseases. Environmental exposure to silica can occur in workers and bystanders in many industries, including agriculture, construction, and potters.

Autoimmune Diseases and Silica

Research progress of silica-associated autoimmune diseases. This article reviews recent research on silica-associated autoimmune diseases to improve the understanding of the disease and promote the formulation of diagnostic criteria and treatment plans. PubMed, Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi, 2021 Jan 20;39(1):69-73.

Lupus and Silica

Systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies on the association of occupational exposure to free crystalline silica and systemic lupus erythematosus. The obtained results support the hypothesis of a possible association between occupational exposure to free crystalline silica and SLE. PubMed, Rheumatology (Oxford), 2021 Jan 5;60(1):81-91. (Also see Causes of Lupus)

Scleroderma and Silica

Causes of Scleroderma: Silica and Occupational Exposure. Occupational exposure to silica is a known cause of scleroderma. It is legally recognized as an occupational disease in many countries, including the United States. Scleroderma predominantly affects women. A striking finding is that when scleroderma occurs in men, it is often due to occupational exposure, such as to silica. ISN.

Silicosis and Silica

Silicosis and Silica. Significant exposure to airborne crystalline silica can cause tuberculosis, lung cancer, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, silicosis, and scleroderma. Silicosis can cause a nodular type of lung fibrosis, tuberculosis, and kidney disorders. ISN.

Vasculitis and Silica

ANCA vasculitis and IgA nephropathy linked to silica exposure. To our knowledge, this is the first report of both ANCA vasculitis and IgA nephropathy in the setting of silica exposure. PubMed, Occup Med (Lond), 2020 Sep 9;70(6):445-448. (Also see Vasculitis)

Case Report: Silica exposure and systemic vasculitis. I present the case of a 63-year-old male who worked in DOE (Department of Energy) facilities for 30 years as a weapons testing technician. In addition to silica, other workplace exposures included beryllium, various solvents and heavy metals, depleted uranium, and ionizing radiation. The patient's diagnoses included microscopic polyangiitis, systemic necrotizing vasculitis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and glomerulonephritis. PubMed, Environ Health Perspect.

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