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Editor’s note: A combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to play a part in the etiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Several exogenous factors may be related to SSc, as indicated by data from meta-analyses and case–control studies. These factors include solvents, silica, and epoxy-resins. Based on preliminary observations, the authors of this article tested the hypothesis that construction-related occupations are associated with this disease.