The Effects of Inhaling Air Dusters

By: Nikki Walters

Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

Air dusters are part of a group of household chemicals that are inhaled for a hallucinogenic, mind-altering high. The high is short, which often leads to repeated inhaling of these toxic chemicals. Huffing, as it is often called, is more common among children. The National Institute on Drug Abuse conducted a survey in 1999 that showed more than 19 percent of eighth-grade students had used inhalants at least once. The ease of obtaining inhalants like air dusters, and the serious effects of huffing, are why parents need to discuss with their children the dangers of inhaling air dusters.

Short-Term Effects

Short-term effects of inhaling air dusters include headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, muscle weakness, stomach pain, mood swings, irrational or violent behavior, anger, slurred speech, clumsiness, tingling in the hands and feet, hallucination, hearing loss and delayed reflexes.

Long-Term Effects

Recognize the long-term effects of huffing by unexplained weight loss, muscle weakness, depression, indifference, muscle spasms, ineptitude and an ill-temper. Permanent damage to vital organs including the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs occurs, as does damage to areas of the brain that control learning, motor skills, vision and hearing.

Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome

A serious and sudden consequence of inhaling air dusters is Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. It can happen whether it's a user's first time huffing or not. It occurs most often when inhaling aerosol products like air dusters. Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome results in rapid and irregular heart beats that lead to cardiac arrest and death.

Suffocation

Another fatal consequence of inhaling air dusters is suffocation. When the fumes enter the lungs and central nervous system, oxygen levels are depressed so that the user is unable to breathe and suffocates.