Volatile solvents
Most societies utilize products which contain substantial amounts of volatile organic solvents. Common household products which often contain organic solvents include cleaning and polishing fluids, contact adhesives, and paint and nail-polish removers. Organic solvents and other volatile compounds are also used extensively in industry and in the laboratory. Long-term exposure to solvent vapour as a result of industrial or domestic use of these substances is thus a common occurrence. One aspect of human exposure to the vapour of volatile substances of particular concern is deliberate self-administration by inhalation in order to achieve intoxication.
Many volatile substances, if inhaled in sufficient quantity, produce effects similar to those of central nervous system depressants such as ethanol and barbiturates. Their abuse potential is directly related to their ability to produce intoxication and repeated abuse may result in psychological dependence or other harmful health effects. Since these substances are often used by children and adolescents and the health consequences of their use are particularly significant, volatile solvent abuse has attracted considerable attention in many countries world-wide.