What Does Autoimmune Disease Mean?
Autoimmune diseases include diseases that cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues. The immune system wrongly identifies healthy tissues as being invasive, and begins producing antibodies that attack and destroy the tissues. It may also result in abnormal organ growth and affect the way that organs function. In the context of worker safety, autoimmune disorders are of particular concern in oil and gas extraction by means of fracking. The process employs large volumes of silica, and if this is inhaled, autoimmune disorders may result.
