Canadian Health Network

Send this to a friend Print-friendly version The ABCs - inhalants Beyond the ABCs - solvents/inhalants Treatment services in Canada Past Articles Subscribe to our Healthlink newsletter

n August of this year, several teenage girls from a junior high school in Surrey, British Columbia were found inhaling, or 'sniffing', computer cleaner duster in their school washroom. These cleaners are not "canned-air", as is typically believed, but contain a compressed-gas propellant similar to other chemically based products.

When kids are young, you keep cleaning supplies and paint thinners out of reach. You teach them to stay away from anything with the skull and cross bones symbol. But what many parents don't realize is that when those same kids get older, some are reaching for those products, only now they are breathing in the noxious fumes to get high.

Many of us, including our kids, don't realize that sniffing can kill, the very first time it is tried. The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition estimates between 100 and 125 Americans die each year from abusing aerosols and other inhalants.

But don't think sniffing is just an American issue. Recent school surveys¹ in Canada found kids across the country have admitted to inhaling at least once over the past year. Another survey² found most Canadians believe sniffing is a serious problem across the country. But it's called the invisible drug, because no one talks about it. Some teens won't tell their friends they're using inhalants, because sniffing is often seen as "uncool". It's this social stigma and disapproval that helps to keep it a secret.

			What solvents are abused?
			A wide range of products can be abused. The majority of these products are in and around homes, workplaces and schools. They include: paint and paint thinners correction fluid gasoline glue nail polish remover shoe polish hairspray aerosol whipped topping The chemicals in these products turn to a vapour when exposed to air. It's this vapour that is inhaled through the nose and mouth.

Solvents are often the first choice for kids wanting to get high for the first time. That's because solvents, like nail polish remover or glue, are easy to get, cheap and can be easily hidden. If evidence from the United States is any indication of what is happening in Canada, then solvent abuse should be a concern in this country. American authorities say that while the rate of overall drug use, e.g. marijuana, is dropping among teens, the same cannot be said for solvents. A 2004 survey (pg. 3) in the U.S. found that by the time children reach Grade 8, one in five will have used an inhalant. The same survey, however, does note that inhalant use declines in older teens, Grade 10 to 12.

Recent Canadian surveys³ found that between two and seven percent of junior and high school students inhaled solvents at least once in the past year. Most said they only did it to experiment. The peak age of use is between 12 and 15 years and there's no major difference in use between girls and boys.

There is some indication of higher rates of solvent abuse among street youth, inner city youth, and by some First Nations and Inuit youth in rural or remote areas. Heavy use is often in response to poor life conditions. A 2004 study⁴ of homeless youth in Toronto found that 10 % inhaled solvents at least once a month. A 1993 survey⁵ of reserves in Canada reported most kids who have tried solvents, did so by the time they were 11 years old. Most (43%) said they did it only once, followed by social users (38%) and chronic users (19%).

The road to healing: stopping solvent abuse in Aboriginal communities This award-winning poster was created by a former solvent abuser... read more

The following are the most common ways to inhale solvents:

• Sniffing is done directly from containers. Sometimes the containers are heated to speed up the release of fumes. This is very dangerous because solvents are highly flammable.
• Huffing is a practice of soaking a fabric in solvents and placing it over the nose and mouth. Many children use a sock or shirt sleeve. Some even put the fabric directly into their mouth to inhale the vapours.
• Bagging is when a bag is placed over the mouth and nose or head to inhale a concentrated amount of fumes.

Regardless of how much gas or glue is inhaled, how it's inhaled or how often, all solvents can be fatal. Sniffing can kill, the very first time or the one-hundredth time.

Once a solvent is inhaled, it is absorbed quickly into the body through the lungs. Once in the bloodstream, solvents travel directly to the brain and other vital organs to produce a brief high. Abusers often feel dizzy, while others may hallucinate. Once the high passes, solvents act much like depressant drugs or alcohol because they slow down the body's central nervous system.

			How can I tell if my child is sniffing?
			Be on the alert if household products like nail polish remover, contact cement and cleaning solvents go missing. The signs of sniffing may be hard to spot, and it is rare that you will come across children 'in the act.' However, if you do encounter your child sniffing, it is important that you do not yell, excite or chase them as the sudden adrenaline rush poses a significant health risk (sudden sniffing death). Many solvents have strong odours but others do not. The immediate signs are much like the effects of alcohol. Some day-after signs to look for are: watery or bloodshot eyes stomach ache or vomiting bleeding or runny nose diarrhea and abdominal pain drooling and spitting headache dizziness stains on fingers or hands chemical smell on clothing, hair or breath Always watch for odd incidents as possible warning signs of a substance use problem. Examples are emotional withdrawal, new "friends," trouble at school or with the law and sudden changes in daily routine.

As with many other intoxicants, the more you inhale solvents, the more likely they can lead to death, especially if taken with drugs or alcohol.

• Solvent abusers can die when their hearts suddenly stop beating. This occurs when an adrenaline rush from extra exertion (e.g., running, fright) while intoxicated causes the heart to skip out of rhythm and stop beating. This is commonly referred to as sudden sniffing death.
• Others have suffocated after slipping into unconsciousness while bagging.
• Still others unintentionally take their own lives because solvents make them feel invincible. For example, a person high on gas fumes may believe they can jump off a bridge and survive.
• Some abusers have burned to death because solvents are highly flammable.

The negative effects of solvents on our bodies are as numerous as the chemicals found in them. If it doesn't kill you right away, sniffing can cause:

• Long-term health problems, such as chronic nose bleeds, hearing loss and brain damage
• Impaired functioning of vital body organs such as liver, kidneys, heart and lungs, as well as bone marrow

Many of these problems may never go away.

Sniffing solvents can be done alone, or in groups. Either way, solvent abuse can have real social consequences for children and teens. These include:

• poor grades at school
• declining interest in hanging out with friends
• diminished personal hygiene
• extreme mood swings
• aggressive/violent behaviour
• low self-esteem and general problem behaviours

There are as many reasons why children and youth abuse solvents as there are for alcohol or drug abuse. Some of it may be due to experimentation, risk taking behaviour, peer pressure or attempting to numb feelings of pain. Here are some ways you can begin today, to keep your kids off solvents:

• Talk to your kids — Stay plugged in with what's going on in your children's lives. Know who their friends are and what they are up to. Make sure your children know they can come to you or another trusted family member if they need to talk.



• Be aware, know the facts — Solvents are poison. Ensure your children are aware of the dangers of inhaling solvents.



• Be a role model — Make healthy choices in your own life to show your children how to take good care of themselves and their bodies.



• Keep solvents at bay — Choose safer household products, such as non-toxic solvents and cleaners and water-based paints.



• Help kids cope with peer pressure — Instil in your children the confidence and independence they need to withstand pressure from friends who may want them to give sniffing a try. This can be done in simple ways by applauding their ability to think for themselves, make their own decisions and say no to solvents. Educators have listed 40 building blocks to help parents develop healthy children.



• Ask for help — Discuss with others, including teachers, the dangers of solvent abuse.

Be aware of what's going on in your child's life and the lives of the children in your community. You may help save a life.

¹ Adolescent Substance and Gambling Use Survey Report, Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), May 2003.
Nova Scotia Student Drug Use 2002 Technical Report pg. 28, Department of Health, Addiction Services, Nova Scotia, 2002.
Other provincial school surveys also report solvent use.
² Forthcoming report on youth volatile solvent abuse solvent by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, with data compiled from the Canadian Addictions Survey.
³ Ibid
⁴ A 2004 Toronto study of homeless youth. D. Goodman (2004). "Youthlink Inner City. Hepatitis C Support Program". Final Report. Toronto: 2004 Toronto CAS.
⁵ Results from a 1993 study of solvent abuse on Canadian reserves. Health Canada and Kaweionnehta Human Resource Group (1994). First Nations and Inuit Community Youth Results from a 1993 study of solvent abuse on Canadian reserves. Health Canada and Kaweionnehta Human Resource Group (1994). First Nations and Inuit Community Youth Solvent Abuse Survey and Study. Ottawa: National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program/Addictions and Community-Funded Programs.