Houshold Products Used
as Inhalants
as Inhalants
 |  |  |  |  |
Many parents do not know until it is too late…common household products are being used
by teenagers as inhalants to get a short intense euphoric high. These inhalants are as
inconspicuous and inexpensive as furniture polish or nail polish remover. Parents rarely
question their child if they have markers or a can of Dust-off in their room. Other commonly
used inhalants are glue, spray deodorant, spray paint, paint thinner, propane, whipped
cream in a can, gas, and aerosol cans.
There are several ways that inhalants are abused. They are…
• Bagging- The substance is contained in a plastic or paper bag where the abuser
breathes.
• Huffing- Breathing directly from an aerosol or through a cloth soaked with a chemical.
• Dusting- Inhaling directly from a straw that is attached to a Dust-Off can.
The 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported among youths age
12 to 17, 10.6% were current illicit drug users in 2004, and 1.2%t of those reported current
inhalant use. Also, the number of new inhalant users was about 857,000.
There are numerous negative effects that immediately accompany inhalant chemical
abuse.
• Feeling light headed
• Slurred speech
• Excessive tiredness
• Dizzy
• Dazed
• Hallucinations
• Anger
Long-term effects can include the following:
• Severe mood swings
• Depression
• Becoming suicidal
• Unable to concentrate
• Easily agitated
• Personality changes
• Memory loss
Of course, brain damage and death are the primary concerns for inhalant abusers.
A very common inhalant that teenagers find easily and readily available is Dust-off. It is a
spray used to clean computers. When this chemical is inhaled (also known as dusting) it
gives someone an intense high and causes dizziness for approximately 10 seconds. Many
teens believe it is only compressed air and is harmless, but it is much more dangerous.
Dust-off contains the chemical difluroethane that is a propellant like R2. It is used as a
refrigerant in refrigerators to keep them cold. This chemical is a heavy gas and expands in
the lungs when breathed and will not let oxygen enter the lungs. As a result, the gas
reduces the oxygen to the heart and the brain and may result in death. A person never
knows when “dusting” will kill them…it happens instantly and there is no turning back. It’s
the finale to life…death. It happens so quickly abusers have been found with the straw from
the Dust-off can in their mouths and eyes still open because they died while inhaling. It’s
like they were frozen in place.
Falcon is the manufacturer of Dust-off and has placed a warning label on the cans. It reads
“Inhalant abuse is illegal and can cause permanent injury or be fatal. Please use our
product responsibly.”
Some stores carrying Dust-off and other inhalants that are abused by teenagers such as
spray paint have put age restrictions on purchasing the product. This helps the situation,
but products are usually purchased by adults without the slightest consideration their
children may be using them to get high. Also, teenagers often get their older friends to buy
the inhalants or they will steal the product.
There are numerous ways that sudden death can occur. For example:
• Asphyxiation- Oxygen is displaced in the lungs preventing breathing.
• Suffocation- Inhalants block air from getting to the lungs
• Aspiration- Inhaling fluid or a foreign substance into the lungs, often after vomiting.
• Vomiting- Causing the airway to be blocked
• Chocking
• Seizures
• Heart Failure
One of the main problems with inhalant abuse is that it is very difficult for parents to become
aware of the problem. Parents do not notice anything out of the ordinary because the
products are common in the household. Even parents who are very knowledgeable about
drugs often overlook the symptoms of inhalant abusers.
Parents already have a tough job ahead of them convincing their children not to give in to
peer pressure and experimenting with dangerous drugs. But inhalants are easily
accessible, inexpensive, and it is difficult to catch the abuse unless parents see it first
hand. However, the following symptoms can help determine if someone is abusing
inhalants:
• Odd odors or chemical smells
• Sores around the mouth or lips
• Swollen mouth, tongue or lips
• Excessive coughing, gagging or clearing the throat
• Complaints of mouth or tongue hurting (Dust-off causes frost bite)
• Hidden rags, bags or empty aerosol cans
• Paint on hands or clothes
• Missing common household products
Watching for signs of inhalant abuse may not be enough to stop a teen. It is important for
parents to talk about inhalants and other drugs with your children. Start talking about it
when they are young so they feel comfortable coming to you with questions. Always leave
the lines of communication open so if they have a problem they will come to you. Parents
need to set strict rules so children understand that using drugs is not acceptable in their
household and there will be severe consequences. It is also necessary to know your
teenagers friends and know their whereabouts.
Talk to other parents and watch for signs of inhalant and other drug abuse. Share
knowledge and work together to prevent drug abuse and possible death.
by teenagers as inhalants to get a short intense euphoric high. These inhalants are as
inconspicuous and inexpensive as furniture polish or nail polish remover. Parents rarely
question their child if they have markers or a can of Dust-off in their room. Other commonly
used inhalants are glue, spray deodorant, spray paint, paint thinner, propane, whipped
cream in a can, gas, and aerosol cans.
There are several ways that inhalants are abused. They are…
• Bagging- The substance is contained in a plastic or paper bag where the abuser
breathes.
• Huffing- Breathing directly from an aerosol or through a cloth soaked with a chemical.
• Dusting- Inhaling directly from a straw that is attached to a Dust-Off can.
The 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported among youths age
12 to 17, 10.6% were current illicit drug users in 2004, and 1.2%t of those reported current
inhalant use. Also, the number of new inhalant users was about 857,000.
There are numerous negative effects that immediately accompany inhalant chemical
abuse.
• Feeling light headed
• Slurred speech
• Excessive tiredness
• Dizzy
• Dazed
• Hallucinations
• Anger
Long-term effects can include the following:
• Severe mood swings
• Depression
• Becoming suicidal
• Unable to concentrate
• Easily agitated
• Personality changes
• Memory loss
Of course, brain damage and death are the primary concerns for inhalant abusers.
A very common inhalant that teenagers find easily and readily available is Dust-off. It is a
spray used to clean computers. When this chemical is inhaled (also known as dusting) it
gives someone an intense high and causes dizziness for approximately 10 seconds. Many
teens believe it is only compressed air and is harmless, but it is much more dangerous.
Dust-off contains the chemical difluroethane that is a propellant like R2. It is used as a
refrigerant in refrigerators to keep them cold. This chemical is a heavy gas and expands in
the lungs when breathed and will not let oxygen enter the lungs. As a result, the gas
reduces the oxygen to the heart and the brain and may result in death. A person never
knows when “dusting” will kill them…it happens instantly and there is no turning back. It’s
the finale to life…death. It happens so quickly abusers have been found with the straw from
the Dust-off can in their mouths and eyes still open because they died while inhaling. It’s
like they were frozen in place.
Falcon is the manufacturer of Dust-off and has placed a warning label on the cans. It reads
“Inhalant abuse is illegal and can cause permanent injury or be fatal. Please use our
product responsibly.”
Some stores carrying Dust-off and other inhalants that are abused by teenagers such as
spray paint have put age restrictions on purchasing the product. This helps the situation,
but products are usually purchased by adults without the slightest consideration their
children may be using them to get high. Also, teenagers often get their older friends to buy
the inhalants or they will steal the product.
There are numerous ways that sudden death can occur. For example:
• Asphyxiation- Oxygen is displaced in the lungs preventing breathing.
• Suffocation- Inhalants block air from getting to the lungs
• Aspiration- Inhaling fluid or a foreign substance into the lungs, often after vomiting.
• Vomiting- Causing the airway to be blocked
• Chocking
• Seizures
• Heart Failure
One of the main problems with inhalant abuse is that it is very difficult for parents to become
aware of the problem. Parents do not notice anything out of the ordinary because the
products are common in the household. Even parents who are very knowledgeable about
drugs often overlook the symptoms of inhalant abusers.
Parents already have a tough job ahead of them convincing their children not to give in to
peer pressure and experimenting with dangerous drugs. But inhalants are easily
accessible, inexpensive, and it is difficult to catch the abuse unless parents see it first
hand. However, the following symptoms can help determine if someone is abusing
inhalants:
• Odd odors or chemical smells
• Sores around the mouth or lips
• Swollen mouth, tongue or lips
• Excessive coughing, gagging or clearing the throat
• Complaints of mouth or tongue hurting (Dust-off causes frost bite)
• Hidden rags, bags or empty aerosol cans
• Paint on hands or clothes
• Missing common household products
Watching for signs of inhalant abuse may not be enough to stop a teen. It is important for
parents to talk about inhalants and other drugs with your children. Start talking about it
when they are young so they feel comfortable coming to you with questions. Always leave
the lines of communication open so if they have a problem they will come to you. Parents
need to set strict rules so children understand that using drugs is not acceptable in their
household and there will be severe consequences. It is also necessary to know your
teenagers friends and know their whereabouts.
Talk to other parents and watch for signs of inhalant and other drug abuse. Share
knowledge and work together to prevent drug abuse and possible death.
| WARNING: Household Products Used as Inhalants Causing Addition and Death in Teenagers By: Amy "AJ" Crowell |
