Fatal outcome following inhalation of Tipp-Ex

Recent measures to combat glue sniffing have led to a decrease in the availability of toluene-based glues. As a result, abuse of other more accessible solvents appears to have increased. Of particular concern are the halogenated hydrocarbons which are more likely to cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias than toluene. We wish to report three cases presenting within a period of six months where death occurred following inhalation of Tipp-Ex, a seemingly innocuous preparation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane which is widely available in offices and schools.