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Volatile substance misuse deaths in Washington State, 2003-2012.
1Washington State Department of Health , Olympia, WA , USA.
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|December 10, 2014
Summary
Volatile substance misuse (VSM) caused 56 deaths in Washington State from 2003-2012, primarily among white adult males. Difluoroethane, often from gas dusters, was the leading cause.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Public Health
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Volatile substance misuse (VSM), also known as huffing or sniffing, leads to fatalities.
- VSM deaths are underreported due to a lack of specific cause-of-death codes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and characterize VSM-associated deaths in Washington State between 2003 and 2012.
- To identify demographic trends and common substances involved in VSM fatalities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized textual cause-of-death data from Washington State death certificates (2003-2012).
- Searched for keywords related to inhalation methods and common VSM substances.
- Reviewed identified records to confirm VSM as a contributing factor in deaths.
Main Results:
- Identified 56 VSM-associated deaths in Washington State during the study period.
- VSM deaths predominantly involved adults aged 20+ (91%), males (88%), and white individuals (93%).
- Difluoroethane was implicated in 54% of VSM deaths, with increasing frequency over time; gas dusters were a common source.
Conclusions:
- VSM deaths disproportionately affect white adult males.
- Difluoroethane, frequently found in gas dusters, is a primary inhalant linked to VSM fatalities.
- Strategies like adding bitterants to gas dusters should be considered to prevent VSM.
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