title: Occupational scleroderma.
abstract: Various occupations and environmental exposures have been suggested to possibly cause or precipitate systemic sclerosis. This article reviews studies of vinyl chloride, silica dust, and chemicals, including trichloroethene and epoxy resins, that may play a role in triggering the disease. Although we would like to believe that this disease is caused by an external source, the lack of similarity of exposures, the low frequency of the disease in comparison to the exposure rate, and the lack of a convincing association with any substance make it impossible to identify a specific trigger.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: V D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Steen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000209:etiology*; D012737:Sex Factors