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FACTS ABOUT INHALANTS

 

  1. Inhalants are volatile solvents—liquids that vaporize at room temperature.
  2. They are most commonly used by children but the habit may continue into adulthood.  Effects are short acting and must be repeated.  There is no addiction or withdrawal.
  3. Some of the most common are paint thinners and removers, dry cleaning fluids, gasoline, glues, degreasers, nail polish removers and felt tip marker fluids.
  4. Aerosols include hair sprays, and vegetable oils used in cooking. Among the most used are spray paints, especially the metallic ones such as silver blue, gold and silver, which contain more of the solvent toluene than others.
  5. Gases include butane lighters, propane tanks, and nitrous oxide which is used as a propellant in whip cream dispensers.
  6. Medical anesthetic gases have legitimate uses but are harmful if used excessively.  They include nitrous oxide and, less commonly, ether or halothane.
  7. Nitrites such as amyl nitrite have legitimate medical uses to dilate blood vessels.  Otherwise they are used to increase sexual pleasure.  Cyclohexyl nitrite is found in room deodorizers.  Butyl nitrite is illegal and sold in small bottles called “poppers”.
  8. Ways to use inhalants are “huffing” by pouring the product on a rag and holding it to the nose and mouth to inhale or “bagging” by spraying or pouring the substance into a plastic bag and putting the bag over the head or holding it closely over the nose and mouth to inhale.
  9. Some substances can be inhaled directly from the container or, in the case of nitrous oxide, inhaling from balloons filled with it.
  10. Effects include excitation and hallucinations followed by drowsiness.
  11. Effects on the brain include damaged hearing, poor color vision and slurred speech.  Staggering and poor coordination also occur. Later, there are dementia and movement problems.  Nerve damage in the limbs leads to chronic pain and loss of feeling.
  12. Spasm of the bronchi occurs especially in those with asthma.
  13. Nitrites cause anemia and immune system damage.
  14. Sores around the nose and mouth occur with both huffing and bagging.
  15. Kidney and liver failure occur.
  16. Use during pregnancy can damage the unborn child.  This is called Fetal Solvent Syndrome.
  17. Death is most often by cardiac arrest caused by lack of oxygen.