Since the first reports on impairments of health of workers in the vinyl chloride (VC) industry appeared in 1958, and of workers in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry in 1963, attention has been repeatedly directed at this branch of the chemical industry by further reports. A syndrome was observed which was similar in its skin and bone changes to scleroderma, while its etiology and pathogenesis remained unresolved. Its principal symptom was the Raynaud syndrome -- nodose or surface hard skin changes and band-shaped osteolyses of the finger end-phalanges. The first observations of this disease pattern was reported in Germany in 1972. The authors have recently made an exhaustive report on the results obtained through the end of 1972, which reveal new aspects in the assessment of the disease. The most important features are summarized.