special subjects
Volatile Solvents
Introduction
Volatile solvents are liquids that easily vaporize into a gas. When inhaled, the gas can cause a state of intoxication and long-term nerve and organ damage. Volatile solvents are found in many common household products, such as adhesives, paint, and cleaning fluid. Thus, children and adolescents can easily obtain them. In the United States, about 10% of adolescents have inhaled solvents (see also Substance Use in Adolescents ). The product may be sprayed into a plastic bag and inhaled (bagging, sniffing, or snorting), or a cloth soaked with the product may be placed next to the nose or in the mouth (huffing). (See also Overview of Substance-Related Disorders .) Adhesives Airplane glue Rubber cement Polyvinyl chloride cement Aerosols Spray paint Hair spray Solvents and gases Nail polish remover Paint remover Paint thinner Typing correction fluid and thinner Fuel gas Cigarette lighter fluid Gasoline Cleaning agents Dry cleaning fluid Spot remover Degreaser 