US EPA

8423986 

Journal Article 

The volatile solvents 

Cohen, S 

1973 

2 

2 

185-214 

English 

The abuse of the volatile solvents is reviewed in an attempt to order and make accessible the literature on a continuing public health problem. The recreational inhalation of the vapors of intoxicating hydrocarbons has been known only during the past quarter century but within the past decade a new series of household products, the aerosols, have been added to the long list of potentially dangerous organic solvents. These substances are sniffed almost exclusively by children and adolescents. An effort is made to describe the many significant factors that determine whether an individual will use intoxicants chronically. Some recommendations about obtaining needed information and preventing the spread of the abuse of the volatile solvents are offered, and 334 references are cited.