Connective tissue disease due to intentional inhalation of scouring powder

There have been reports in the literature of acute and chronic silicosis and connective tissue disease induced by occupational exposure to silica in factories producing scouring powder. Reports of connective tissue diseases induced by intentional inhalation of such a powder are rare and perhaps underestimated. We report the case of a young woman who developed Sharp's syndrome 5 yrs after diagnosis of acute silicosis due to scouring powder inhalation. The frequency of diseases from scouring powder as well as physiopathological and therapeutical issues of the association of pneumoconiosis and connective tissue disease are discussed.