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Title: Chemical air pollutants and otorhinolaryngeal toxicity

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Health; (United States)
OSTI ID:5026599
;  [1]
  1. Medical Coll. of Ohio, Toledo, OH (United States). Occupational Health and Otolaryngology

Air pollution and the specific issue regarding the impact of airborne chemical agents to human health are familiar topics to most members of the environmental health science and environmental medicine communities. Some aspects, however, have received relatively less attention. Much has been published regarding the impact of air pollutants on the human upper and lower respiratory system, including interaction with the rhinologic (nasal) system. Relatively fewer data have been published, however, regarding the potential impact of air pollutants in reference specifically to the otologic (auditory and vestibular) and the laryngeal (larynx) system. Adverse impact to the ears, nose and throat, referred to as the otorhinolaryngeal system'', warrants attention as an important environmental health issue. Toxic interactions from exposure to many chemical air pollutants not only causes potential respiratory irritation and lung disease, but can also result in impaired hearing, balance, sense of smell, taste, and speech due to interaction with related target systems. This may be significant to environmental health risk assessment of chemical air pollutants if multi-target site models are considered.

OSTI ID:
5026599
Journal Information:
Journal of Environmental Health; (United States), Vol. 56:7; ISSN 0022-0892
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English