Gas Fuels

Gas fuels accounted for 43.7% of deaths from VSA between 1971 and 2000, and this proportion appears to be increasing, with the figure for 2000 standing at 50.8%.

Cigarette lighter refills
Mortalities from cigarette lighter fuel refills constituted 86.8% of total gas fuel deaths between 1971 and 2000.

Butane gas is the main component chemical found in lighter refills, usually making up 90% of the product. As these flammable containers are activated under pressure, the fuel gas is released at a very low temperature, presenting a risk of cold burns through direct oral abuse, respiratory difficulties and death by vagal inhibition due to rapid cooling of the larynx. The vagal nerve runs through the neck and inhibition of this nerve leads directly to heart failure, slowing of the heart, and cardiac arrest.

Research into the long-term effects of abuse is inconclusive, but there are concerns that exposure to the impurities found in fuel grade butane might give rise to long-term health problems, such as carcinomas.

A recent initiative by industry aimed at reducing the potential for abuse, was the introduction of smaller 25ml cans. However, cans containing up to 300ml or more can still be purchased. Re-design of nozzles has also been considered, however it is always possible to access the gas by puncturing the outer skin of the container itself.

Efforts to control sales of lighter refills include storing them in cigarette kiosks where staff are able to monitor sales. It is unusual for lighter refills to be more openly displayed.

The information presented on labels is generally concerned with safe usage, though some manufacturers also include a specific warning which relates to abuse of the product, i.e. "Deliberately inhaling the contents may be harmful or even fatal". Disposable lighters, which are also being used, carry no labelling but contain only 5-10mI of gas. These are contained under lower pressure and therefore the speed of gas delivery is comparatively very slow, which means that they are less convenient to abuse.

Other gas fuels
19.1% of all gas fuel deaths result from abuse of other gas products. Butane/propane gas containers, used for example in camping stoves and blowtorches, are less easy to abuse than lighter fuel containers. Instant access is less easy as the valve is not an integral part of the container, the release of the gas occurring through puncturing, but valved containers are available for camping or DIY purposes. Camping gas, propane cylinders, domestic bottled gas and British Gas each have their own formulation of stenching agents, which are added to produce a distinctive smell to their product. This acts as a safeguard against accidental leakage or misuse.

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