[Occupational progressive systemic sclerodermia caused by a quartz-containing scouring agent]

We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with progressive systemic sclerosis. For 14 years, she had been occupationally exposed to scouring powder containing crystalline silica. In the skin of the finger of the patient, silica crystals were detected by polarizing microscopy. By means of a special dust measurement at the former working places where scouring powder was used, a silica exposition could be found exceeding the maximum allowable concentrations. Legal recognition of an occupational disease could be achieved in a special procedure by the top expert commission for occupational diseases.