Dust-Off and other Dangerous Inhalants

They're all over your house. They're in your child's school. In fact, you probably picked some up the last time you went to the grocery store. Educate yourself. Find out about inhalants before your children do.

Most parents are in the dark regarding the popularity and dangers of inhalant use. But children are quickly discovering that common household products are inexpensive to obtain, easy to hide and the easiest way to get high. According to national surveys, inhaling dangerous products is becoming one of the most widespread problems in the country. It is as popular as marijuana with young people. More than a million people used inhalants to get high just last year. By the time a student reaches the 8th grade, one in five will have used inhalants.

Read the article:
Adolescents have died huffing from cans of
Dust-Off compressed air.

What is inhalant use?

Inhalant use refers to the intentional breathing of gas or vapors with the purpose of reaching a high. Inhalants are legal, everyday products which have a useful purpose, but can be misused. You're probably familiar with many of these substances -- paint, glue and others. But you probably don't know that there are more than 1,000 products that are very dangerous when inhaled -- things like canned air, typewriter correction fluid, air-conditioning refrigerant, felt tip markers, spray paint, air freshener, butane and even cooking spray.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the peak age of inhalant abusers is 14 to 15 year, with onset occurring in those as young as 6 to 8 years.  Use declines typically by 17 to 19 years of age.  These products are an ordinary part of the household.  Few adults see air fresheners, Magic Markers, or compressed air as something that can kill.  So parents don't look twice or question their kids when an odd "household" item is found in a child's room or backpack.