Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Information

March 14-20 is National Inhalants and Poisons awareness week.

Inhalant Abuse is a lesser-known form of substance abuse, but is no less dangerous. In fact, more first-time users die from inhalants than from any other drug. Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome can occur from cardiac arrest or a by a lack of oxygen in the body. Inhalant abuse can be broken down into two categories.

Huffing — Inhaling fumes or vapors of a substance in one of the following ways
• A product is held directly to the mouth and the contents are inhaled.
• A piece of cloth is placed over the product to act as a filter and the contents are inhaled through the cloth.
• A chemical-soaked rag is held to the face or stuffed in the mouth and the substance is inhaled.

Sniffing — Ingesting substances directly through the nose
• Inhalants can be “sniffed” from a container.
• Fumes are discharged into soda cans and inhaled from the can.
• Inhalants are placed on sleeves, collars, or other items of clothing and are sniffed over a period of time. This is particularly popular method of disguising inhalation of gasoline fumes.


There are more than 1400 household products with a legitimate purpose that have potential for abuse. One of the most commonly abused products is Dust-Off, which is used to clean dust out of computer keyboards and other electronics. This product is attractive to young people because it provides an instant “high” yet only lasts about five minutes. When inhaled, this compressed gas (not air) replaces oxygen in the body and can cause frostbite to the lips, tongue and lungs. This product has been known to cause more deaths than any other inhalant substance.

Physical signs of inhalant abuse might include a chemical odor, bloodshot eyes, runny nose, sores around the mouth or paint on the face or fingers. Behavioral signs might include a drunk or dizzy appearance, loss of coordination, irritability/excitability or loss of appetite.

Educate yourself and talk to your kids about the dangers of inhalant abuse.

For more information, please visit:  www.inhalant.org or www.inhalants.com

To schedule a presentation for your organization, please contact Jennifer Miller with Fargo Cass Public Health at 241-8189 or jlmiller@cityoffargo.com.