The role of genetic factors in the development rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is starting to be better understood. For patients to develop an autoimmunity associated with RA, an interaction between genetic risk factors and environmental risk factors seems to be required. In this paper, we will describe the putative role of a specific genetic risk factor and discuss several environmental risk factors, such as air pollution or specific infections, as well as behavioral factors such as smoking or specific foods. Ultimately, a better understanding of the gene-environment interactions leading to the development of autoimmunity will allow to identify people at high risk of developing RA, and perhaps to initiate preventive measures to avoid the disease of occurring all together.