Abusing the volatile organic chemicals.

Intentional inhalation of volatile organic chemicals is not a new phenomenon. It has existed since ancient times. Abusing household and other commercially available products, containing volatile organic solvents, has been recognized since the early 1950s. Products containing volatile organic chemicals include everything ranging from gasoline to paints, aerosolized foods, cosmetics, and other solvent-based household products. These products are easily available, legal, and usually inexpensive when compared to the alternative, illegal substances. While inhalant abuse is small when compared to the abuse of other substances, the problem can, in some cases, be fatal to the abuser. The public sector, industry, and government all are trying to find a solution. This paper reviews the history of perverted use of commercial products, the inhalant abuser, the signs and symptoms, the pharmacotoxicology, and the various approaches to solutions.