[Environmental chemicals: their clinical significance in rheumatology]

Over the past years, various illnesses including features of connective tissue disorders (e.g. systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease), and rheumatoid arthritis, seemingly related to exposure to environmental materials have been reported. This paper presents some typical case reports and review major environmental associations seen in rheumatology, along with their epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features, possible pathogenesis, prognosis, and potential therapy.