Crystalline silica occurs naturally in rocks, such as granite, or in sand. It is therefore found in cement, concrete, and tiles. Most building and public works professionals - masons, tilers, electricians, plumber... - are very exposed to this material contained in stone dust. However, inhaling crystalline silica can cause a very disabling disease, yet little known to the general public, systemic sclerosis.
Valérie Lecureur (University Professor, University of Rennes) and Alain Lescoat (University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, University of Rennes, University Hospital of Rennes), both researchers within the "Xenobiotics and Barriers" team at IRSET, have been studying this disease for eight years. In this video produced by IRSET, they present, through their translational research work, the impact of crystalline silica on the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis, as well as their objectives of better understanding the disease to better take caring for patients.
>> Click here to watch the video (in French).
