Crystalline silica is recognized as both a pneumotoxin and nephrotoxin, and has been reported to cause multiple autoimmune diseases . As such, our case revealed severe target organ toxicity to the lungs, kidneys, and other target organ systems consistent with those reported in the literature.

A multitude of epidemiological studies connect silica exposure to various known autoimmune diseases . Frequently reported diseases include scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and sarcoidosis .

Several studies of silica-exposed workers have shown increased rates of several common autoimmune diseases, indicating that studies that examine rates of only one disease may underestimate the risks posed by silica exposure