Sarcoidosis: An Occupational Disease?

EXTERNAL - The purpose of the current review was to examine occupational causes of sarcoidosis in light of more recently published information, with a focus on those exposures for which there is greater consistency and strength of association. This review discusses recently published findings regarding associations between occupational exposure to silica and silicates, World Trade Center dust, and metals and risk for sarcoidosis, as well as advances in the development of diagnostic tools. Not all cases of sarcoidosis have an identified cause, but some do. Where the cause is occupational, its recognition is critical to enable effective treatment through removal of the affected worker from exposure and to inform intervention aimed at primary prevention. From: CHEST Journal DIFFUSE LUNG DISEASE: CHEST REVIEWS|VOLUME 160, ISSUE 4, P1360-1367,   Written By: L. Christine Oliver, MD, Andrew M. Zarnke, BSc, OHCOW   VIEW PAPER