Aerosols

Aerosols accounted for 18.1% of deaths from solvent abuse between 1971 and 2000, though there has been an overall decline in deaths from the abuse of this product over recent years.

There are three major product areas within this grouping, namely air fresheners (12% of the substance group 1971-2000), pain relief sprays (16.9%) and anti perspirants/deodorants (43.1%).

It is the propellant and not the liquid in aerosols, which is inhaled, with the majority of aerosol products use butane as the chief propellant. Butane replaced chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were removed because of their effect on the environment, though a few specialist medical products still contain CFCs (although these are also being phased out). Nitrous oxide is commonly used as a propellant for food preparations although there are few records of this being abused.

Most commonly, fatalities are associated with breathing the aerosol through a rag, using a plastic bag or spraying the fumes directly into the mouth.

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