Silica and renal diseases: no longer a problem in the 21st century?

Silicosis and other occupational diseases are still important even in the m ost developed countries. In fact, at present, silica exposure may be a risk factor for human health not only for workers but also for consumers. Furth ermore, this exposure is associated with many other different disorders bes ides pulmonary silicosis, such as progressive systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, glomerulonephri tis and vasculitis. The relationships between these silica-related diseases need to be clarified, but pathogenic responses to silica are likely to be mediated by interaction of silica particles with the immune system, mainly by activation of macrophages. As regards renal pathology, there is no singl e specific clinical or laboratory finding of silica-induced nephropathy: re nal involvement may occur as a toxic effect or in a context of autoimmune d isease, and silica damage may act as an additive factor on an existing, wel l-established renal disease. An occupational history must be obtained for a ll renal patients, checking particularly for exposure to silica, heavy meta ls, and solvents.