There is a well established association between silica inhalational exposure and autoimmune disease, particularly in the context of intense exposure.

Recent findings 

New industries such as jewelry polishing, denim jean production, fabrication of artificial stone benchtops, glass manufacturing and glassware has led to re-emergence of silicosis around the world.

Silicosis with long term exposure to dust containing crystalline silica has been examined as a possible risk factor with respect to several autoimmune diseases as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and some types of small vessel vasculitis with renal involvement.

The dust may act to promote or accelerate disease development, requiring some other factors to break immune tolerance or initiate autoimmunity. 

Better understanding the mechanisms that involve silica -induced autoimmune diseases may contribute to early diagnosis.