Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
3096381 
Journal Article 
Review 
The Impact of Pollution on the Voice 
Sataloff, RT 
1992 
1 
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
ISSN: 0194-5998
EISSN: 1097-6817 
NIOSH/00211145 
106 
6 
701-705 
English 
1608636 
WOS:A1992JA31600015 
The effects of environmental pollutants on the voice were discussed. Reports have indicated that voice disturbances caused by pollutants are not rare. Pollutant induced effects included hoarseness, other changes in voice quality or control, voice fatigue, and neoplasia. These effects not only can result in stress, strain, and inconvenience, but also can cause disability in those whose occupations depend on good voice quality and endurance. The vocal effects of atmospheric pollutants were discussed. Acute exposures to pollutants such as from fires or industrial accidents can cause profound pulmonary and laryngeal dysfunction. More subtle vocal dysfunction may result from chronic inhalation of air pollutants. These effects may reflect injury to the mucosa of the vocal folds. Coughing produced by inhalation of irritant substances can cause significant vocal fold injury including mucosal disruption and vocal fold hemorrhage. Pollutants that alter pulmonary function can adversely affect the voice. Inhaled pollutants that could affect the voice were described. Experimental and epidemiological studies of the effects of air pollutants on the voice were reviewed. Studies of the effects of carbon-black (7440440) in hamsters found that the dust induced subepithelial changes in the thyroarytenoid fold and retention of eosinophilic material in the subglottis and tracheal gland. Acetaldehyde (75070) vapor induced keratinization of the vocal fold as well as damage to other parts of the upper respiratory tract. Cigarette smoke has been associated with a variety of vocal fold lesions including polyploid chorditis. Several epidemiological studies have suggested an association between occupational exposure to environmental pollutants and laryngeal disease. Ingestion of substances such as lead (7439921), caffeine (58082), and some drugs may affect vocal function by means of their neurotoxicity.