Editing Silicon dioxide (section)

===Pathophysiology===
In the body, crystalline silica particles do not dissolve over clinically relevant periods. Silica crystals inside the lungs can activate the NLRP3 [[inflammasome]] inside macrophages and dendritic cells and thereby result in production of [[interleukin]], a highly [[pro-inflammatory cytokine]] in the immune system.<ref>{{cite journal|display-authors=3|vauthors=Hornung V, Bauernfeind F, Halle A, Samstad EO, Kono H, Rock KL, Fitzgerald KA, Latz E|year=2008|title=Silica crystals and aluminum salts activate the NALP3 inflammasome through phagosomal destabilization|journal=[[Nature Immunology|Nat. Immunol.]]|volume=9|issue=8|pages=847–856|doi=10.1038/ni.1631|pmc=2834784|pmid=18604214}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/86-102/86-102.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB86102|title=Occupational Respiratory Diseases|publisher=US Department of Health and Human Services, NIOSH|year=1986|veditors=Merchant JA|location=Cincinnati, OH|id=DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 86-102|doi=10.26616/NIOSHPUB86102|hdl=2027/uc1.31210023588922}}</ref><ref>NIOSH (2002) Hazard Review, Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2002-129/ DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-129].</ref>