DEATHS RELATED TO THE INHALATION OF VOLATILE SUBSTANCES IN TEXAS: 1988–1998

Abstract

Analysis of death certificates in Texas from 1988 to 1998 showed that the characteristics of 144 Texans for whom inhalants were mentioned as a contributing cause of death are different from those Texans who report use of inhalants in surveys and from persons who died from inhalant abuse in Virginia. While Texas surveys show little difference in prevalence of use between white and Hispanic adolescents or between boys and girls, Texas death data indicate inhalant use is also a problem among adult white males. The mean age of decedents was 25.6 years (SD 9.8 years), and ages ranged from 8 to 62 years. There were 92% males, 81% whites, and 17% Hispanics. Of the death certificates, 35% mentioned Freon, and 25% mentioned chlorinated hydrocarbons. Of those with the mention of Freon, 42% were students (mean age 16.4 years), and 37% were mechanics, installers, and repairers (mean age 27.4 years), occupations in which Freon can be readily available. Of the chlorinated hydrocarbon deaths, 49% were students (mean age 17.5 years), and 51% were from other occupations (mean age 27.4 years). Research on drug use and the workplace is not extensive, and the effects of inhalant intoxication can be a serious problem in the workplace. Prevention campaigns need to inform the public that inhalant abuse is not just a problem among youngsters, and intervention services for adult abusers should be provided within the context of employee assistance programs.

• Freon
• Inhalant abuse
• Inhalant use disorders
• Occupational hazard
• Overdose deaths
• Toluene
• Volatile substance abuse

Notes

^* ICDA-9 codes used to request inhalant death certificates included 304.6, 305.9, 799.9, 855.1, 855.3, 858.3, 862.4, 869.2, and 869.8.

^† Deaths in which a worker accidentally inhaled chemicals or carbon monoxide while cleaning or while working in an enclosed space, such as a railway tank car, were excluded from this analysis, as were deaths due to accidental inhalation of carbon monoxide due to a faulty heater or inhalation of substances during a fire.

^* Other than some mentions of Freon-22, the term Freon was used in a generic sense; information was not provided that would distinguish between Freon, which is no longer produced in the United States, and new refrigerant gases.