It usually affects both hands equally, and attacks of white finger occur in response to stress as well as cold. People can also get Raynaud's phenomenon because of certain diseases or injuries. Within the workplace, several hazards can cause Raynaud's phenomenon. Exposure to vibration from power tools is by far the greatest concern. Raynaud's phenomenon, however, is only one aspect of the hand-arm vibration syndrome.
Vibration also damages nerves, muscles, bones and joints of the hand and arm.
In early years, before the cancer-causing effects of vinyl chloride were known, workers exposed to high levels of this chemical experienced Raynaud's phenomenon. It also caused breakdown of the bones of the fingertips, and other health problems. Raynaud's phenomenon from vinyl chloride is now an unlikely occurrence in Canada since exposure to this chemical is controlled much better than in the past. Frostbite injury with damage to the blood vessels can also cause Raynaud's phenomenon. A single study reports that fish plant workers developed Raynaud's phenomenon after continually chilling and rewarming their hands several times a day over a period of years.