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2800632 
Technical Report 
Occupationally Induced Connective Tissue Disorders 
Zschunke, E; Ziegler, V; Haustein U-F 
1990 
NIOSH/00208119 
2nd Edition 
172-183 
Occupation related incidence of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and scleroderma like diseases (SLD) was discussed. Epidemiologic studies on the role of silicon (7440213) (Si) dust in the induction of PSS and silicosis of the lungs among underground miners were considered. Workplaces such as mines and manufacturing plants in which exposure to Si must be taken into account were enumerated. The pathogenesis of Si induced PSS, and the role of immune mechanisms in the progression of the disease, were outlined. A review of SLD included vinyl-chloride disease (VC) in which exposure to polyvinyl-chloride (9002862) caused fibrotic and other connective tissue changes, and a discussion of the role of cellular immune mechanisms, especially the HLA antigens. Similarities and differences between VC and PSS were tabulated. Other SLD were caused by exposure to trichloroethylene (79016), benzene (71432), toluene (108883), xylene (1330207), and other solvents and cleaners. A morphea like scleroderma caused by exposure to bis(4-amino-3-methylcyclohexyl)methane (6864375) was reported in resin workers and SLD were also reported to result after drug therapy and breast implants. SLD lesions resulted in the toxic oil syndrome, in Spain, from the use of cooking oil contaminated with aniline (62533). Relationships between lupus erythematosus or dermatomyositis and occupational exposure were not confirmed.