The goal of our research was to synthesize the published literature on associations between air pollution and the development of rheumatic disease. Air pollution has previously been associated with inflammation and other immune-mediated diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease  and multiple sclerosis , with the hypothesis built on strong basic science and translational studies [6, 27]. We identified relevant studies in RA, SARDs, and JIA conditions. In a cohort study from the USA and a case-control study from Sweden, no association between an increased RA risk and exposure to NO2, SO2, or PM was detected. In contrast, the cohort study from Taiwan found increased risk of RA with exposure to higher levels of NO2. Surprisingly, the case-control study by De Roos et al. did find an increased risk for RA based on proximity of the primary residence to highways but a potential reduced risk of developing RA in relation to air pollutant exposure , which is counterintuitive. In contrast, exposure to PM2.5 does appear to confer increased risk for SARDs and was a risk factor for JIA in US children below 5.5 years of age. We additionally identified abstracts on ANCA vasculitis  and Kawasaki Disease , which reported no association with exposure to PM10 and PM2.5, respectively, although estimates were not provided.