Can the soft area around the cords absorb chemicals from the air? What would be the result?
Reply: ---------------------------
Certainly environmental irritants or pollutants can cause injury to the membranes of the vocal cords. This can result in acute or chronic inflammation known as laryngitis which is usually associated with hoarseness, mild-moderate sore throat, and occasionally cough. Long term exposures to such irritants could lead to polyp formation or scarring known as vocal nodules.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
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