Deaths associated with inhalant abuse in Virginia from 1987 to 1996

Inhalant abuse has existed for a considerable period of time and it is curr ently one of the most prevalent drug abuse problems in the world. One reper cussion from using these compounds is that abuse may result in lethality. I n an attempt to better understand the deaths associated with inhalant abuse , the authors surveyed the death records from the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1987 to 1996. Examination of the state records identified 39 deaths re lated to inhalant abuse during this time period. While no significant incre ase or decrease in the death rate was observed across the time period inves tigated, all regions of Virginia were affected, with the rates being highes t in the northern and eastern regions of the state. Age of death ranged fro m 13 to 42 years with the majority of deaths (70%) occurring at 22 years of age or younger. Ninety-five per cent of the individuals were male, with vo latile substance abuse deaths accounting for 0.3% of all deaths in males ag ed 13-22 years. The chief volatile substances used were gas fuels (46%), pr edominately butane and propane, chlorofluorocarbons (26%), chlorinated hydr ocarbons and alkylbenzenes (21%), and other volatile substances including v olatile anesthetics. Deaths associated with the abuse of butane and toluene were more likely to be traumatic, but all substances appeared capable of k illing directly by their toxic effects, probably through cardiac and/or res piratory mechanisms. The ramifications of these findings for regulation and prevention are addressed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All right s reserved.