Mortality figures

1999 solvent abuse mortality figures

Re-Solv is pleased to provide information published in St George’s Hospital Medical School’s annual report on mortalities from solvent and volatile substance abuse. The current report provides figures for 1999 (the last recorded year).

Key findings from the report for 1999

There were 73 deaths associated with volatile substance abuse in 1999.
Over the last ten years, there have been significant falls in the numbers of deaths associated with aerosols and glues, whilst there has been little change in those associated with gas fuels. These are now associated with the majority of deaths.
Concern over butane lighter refills is reinforced by the figures for 1999, when they were associated with 53% of all VSA deaths.
Although the average age at death has increased during the 1990s, one third of all VSA deaths are still in under 18 year olds.
VSA deaths continue to be much more common among males than females.
Death rates continue to be highest in the northern areas of the British Isles. Volatile substance abuse accounted for one in sixty of all deaths in ages 15-19 (inclusive) in the United Kingdom in 1999.
The most common place of fatal abuse for adults was their own home. Most fatal abuses by children occurred in a public place.

Alarm as 3 UK regions see dramatic rise in death toll from solvent and volatile substance abuse

The report reveals a concerning rise in the number of mortalities in the South West region where deaths rose from 3 in 1998 up to 8 in 1999.

Wales also saw one of the highest increases from 3 to 7 and Northern Ireland from 3 up to 6.

The total number of VSA deaths in the last recorded year was 73. Compared with the revised total of 80 deaths for 1998 there was a fall of 7 deaths for 1999.

The total mortality figure for 1999 shows that solvent abuse is responsible for approximately 8 times more deaths than the illegal drug ecstasy.

Facts

Thirty Six percent of VSA deaths in 1999 were in the age group 15—19 years (inclusive) or, one in sixty deaths in that age group. For more than 43% of deaths there was no previous evidence of misuse.

Region

1998

1999

North East England

7

7

North West England

16

5

Yorkshire and the Humber

4

5

East Midlands

10

5

West Midlands

6

7

East of England

5

4

London

6

7

South East

7

4

South West

8

3

Wales

3

7

Scotland

10

8

Northern Ireland

3

6

Channel Islands

0

0

Isle of Man

0

0

Products responsible for deaths 1999:

Lighter fuel refill canisters 53.4%
Deodorant 8.2%
Glues 6.8%
Paint thinners/strippers 4.1%
Other gas fuels 9.6%
Other aerosols 5.4%
Other products 12.9%

Causes of death 1999:

Toxic affects 57.5%
Trauma 11%
Inhalation of vomit 11%
Plastic bag 11%

The most common place of abuse for the period 1990—1999 shows:

Public Place 21.9%
Institution/Other unknown 11.1%
Home/Home of a friend 67.1%

back to factsheet menu

home

is a non profit making company, limited by guarantee.

Company Registered No. 1859082

Registered Charity No. 326732

Region	1998	1999
North East England	7	7
North West England	16	5
Yorkshire and the Humber	4	5
East Midlands	10	5
West Midlands	6	7
East of England	5	4
London	6	7
South East	7	4
South West	8	3
Wales	3	7
Scotland	10	8
Northern Ireland	3	6
Channel Islands	0	0
Isle of Man	0	0