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A D V I C E A N D I N F O R M A T I O N : T I P S F O R P A R E N T S A N D F A M I L I E S
Dangers of "Dusting" or "Doing Air"
December 2006
YES staff reports
In the Lake Washington School District, 8th and 9th graders are reporting to YES counselors that they are involved in the trend called "dusting" – sometimes in large group settings.
"Dusting" (or "Doing Air", as some students call it) is a form of "huffing" inhalants. Inhalant use has been a trend for many years, and continues to be a dangerous one.
Teens "huff" inhalants that can be found in the home such as:
- glue
- felt markers
- nail polish remover
- cleaning fluids
- hair spray
- gasoline
- the propellant in aerosol whipped cream
- spray paint
- fabric protector
- air conditioner fluid (freon)
- cooking spray
- correction fluid
"Dusting" is the more specific term associated with the use of cans of any common aerosolized computer keyboard cleaner containing compressed gas. Many teens find this trend appealing due to easy access. They are able to walk into a store and buy the products themselves, or they can easily find the product at home (without parents realizing the danger). Some retailers have restricted the sale of these products to individuals 18 and over. In addition, some have put warning labels on the top of cans.
The high from the gas paralyzes the user for several minutes and gives a feeling of euphoria. Both ‘dusting’ and ‘huffing’ can result in serious damage to the brain, lungs, heart, kidneys and liver, and can even cause death. In computer cleaning products, a freon type of gas, or fluorinated hydrocarbon, is the dangerous ingredient. The compressed air in the cleaners fills a person's lungs, keeping oxygen out and potentially stopping the heart. Teens do not realize how dangerous this can be. They do not believe it is as dangerous or as addictive as alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, or cocaine. However, it can be just as psychologically and physically addictive as other drugs.
For more information on inhalant abuse or other concerns, contact YES Substance Abuse department at 425-747-4937. |
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