Recognition of abusable products

Because of the wide range of products that are abused and the rapid rate at which brand names and packaging are varied within the modern retail world, it is impossible to produce a comprehensive up-to-date list of all those products that can be abused. There are, in fact, hundreds of products on the market at present, which are abusable. Some of these are more commonly sniffed than others.

The products to be aware of include:

• Butane gas cigarette lighter refills

• Liquefied domestic gas

• Solvent based adhesives

• Deodorant aerosols

• Pain relief sprays

• Aerosol air fresheners

• Hairspray

• Other aerosols

• Some typewriter correction fluids

• Petrol

• Certain paints, paint thinners & removers

• Dry cleaning agents

• Petrol lighter fuel

• Nail varnish & varnish remover

• Halon (BCF) fire extinguishers (no longer manufactured)

• Some shoe & metal polish

• Plaster remover

However, if you are in doubt as to whether or not you should be concerned, there are certain signs to look out for on the packaging of the product. Many products carry a warning “Solvent Abuse Can Kill Instantly”.

Pressurised gases
The first category of abusable products includes most aerosols and all forms of liquefied petroleum gas (gas lighter fuel, fuel for picnic stoves, etc.), which are "sniffable" and will carry warnings such as “flammable", "do not puncture or incinerate", "do not use near fire or flame", etc.

Aerosols producing foam, paste, mousse or gels are not usually "sniffed".

Flammable liquids
The second category of abusable products comes under the heading of highly flammable liquids. These products are usually in the form of liquids in metal containers or bottles. All will bear the words "Highly-Flammable" or other wording, and by UK law must display a black flame on a square orange background. In addition, the outer case of multiple retail packs will be marked either with the same symbol or with a diamond symbol.

Non-flammable substances
The third category of abusable products are not in themselves flammable, but hints can be gained from reading the appropriate text on the packaging. Look out for the following chemicals, which are present in many abusable products:

• Trichloroethylene
• Dichloromethane
• Tetrachloroethylene

These are three common chemicals found in such substances as non-flammable paints, fire extinguishers, adhesives and cleaning fluids.

back to factsheet menu

top | home