IInnhhaallaanntt AAbbuussee iinn AAddoolleesscceennttss Charles S. Grob, M.D. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center IInnhhaallaannttss aanndd tthheeiirr ccoommmmoonn chemical constituents Aerosols (cid:132) (may contain cchhlloorroofflluuoorrooccaarrbboonnss aanndd fflluuoorrooccaarrbboonn propellants) (cid:132) DDeoddorantts andd hhaiirsprays (cid:132) Fabric protector sprays (cid:132) Spray paints (toluene, methyl isobutyl (cid:132) ketone) Vegetable oil sprays (cid:132) IInnhhaallaannttss aanndd tthheeiirr ccoommmmoonn chemical constituents Gases (cid:132) Bottled gas (propane) (cid:132) CCiiggaarreettttee lliigghhtteerr fflluuiidd ((bbuuttaannee)) (cid:132)(cid:132) Medical anaesthetics (ether, (cid:132) cchhlloorrooffoorrmm, nniittrroouuss ooxxiiddee)) Whipped cream (nitrous oxide) (cid:132) IInnhhaallaannttss aanndd tthheeiirr ccoommmmoonn chemical constituents Nitrites (cid:132) Amyl nitrites (cid:132) BBuuttyyll nniittrriitteess (cid:132)(cid:132) IInnhhaallaannttss aanndd tthheeiirr ccoommmmoonn chemical constituents Volatile solvents Nail polish remover (cid:132) (cid:132) (acetone, esters) CCoorrrreeccttiioonn fflluuiiddss (cid:132)(cid:132) Paint thinners and (cid:132) (1,1,1-trichloroethane) removers DDrryy-cclleeaanniinngg fflluuiiddss ((ddiicchhlloorroommeetthhaannee, (cid:132) toluene, (trichloroethylene, 11,,11,,11-ttrriicchhlloorrooeetthhaannee)) xyyleenee)) (cid:132) Petrol (benzene, n- Glues (n-hexane, (cid:132) (cid:132) hexane, toluene, xylene) ttoolluueennee,, xxyylleennee)) Inhalant Effects INHALANT MISUSE The deliberate inhalation of chemical vapors (cid:132) to produce intoxication or altered mental states (eg. euphoria), despite the potential for toxic damage to vital organs TThhe rellattiivelly earlly age off regullar users, as (cid:132) well as the associated severe biological and ppsyychosocial conseqquences,, creates a significant public health problem There is no apparent safe level of use (cid:132)