The Danger of Teens and Inhalants

Are whipped cream and nail polish remover really dangerous? Experts say yes. Huffing and sniffing easy-to-buy household products is a growing trend among adolescents and teens. The danger is brain, liver, and kidney damage.

Popular products are:

• nail polish remover
  
• correction fluid
  
• butane lighter refills
• aerosols - such as hair spray, deodorant, and even whipped cream

Last year, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that approximately 1 in 4 8th-graders had tried huffing at least once. Kids as young as 4th grade are experimenting.

How do you spot the signs?

• Your child may appear to be drunk or dazed.
  
• Look for slurred speech and red, runny eyes.
  
• You may smell a chemical odor on their breath or see paint stains on their face or hands.

How to talk to your kids?

• Find out how familiar your kid is with the topic.
  
• Approach the topic by asking your child if any of his friends are inhaling or huffing.
  
• When you're using a potentially harmful household product such as painting a room, point out the warning labels on the product.
  
• Refer to inhaling these products as poisonous rather than drugs.