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DrugScreening.org


 
'Dust-Off' Seen as Dangerous Inhalant
September 27, 2005

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News Summary

The computer keyboard cleaner Dust-Off has been linked to several deaths among youths using the product to get high, the Boston Globe reported Sept. 25.

The father of a 14-year-old boy who died in his bed with a can of Dust-Off beside him posted an alert online that has brought national attention to the issue. Officials say that, like other inhalants, sniffing Dust-Off robs the brain of oxygen, causing momentary intoxication but also potentially leading to brain damage or heart failure.

Dust-Off manufacturer Falcono Safety Products has issued a warning about misuse of the product, and retailers like Wal-Mart won't sell it to minors.

Ohio police sergeant Jeff Williams, whose son, Kyle, died of chemical asphyxiation in March, said his son didn't realize the danger of inhaling Dust-Off. "Kyle had been told by friends that it couldn't hurt him," Williams said. "He thought it was just a playful thing."

"Kyle knew never to do drugs," Williams added. "He just didn't know not to do this."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Laura on 16 May 08 12:12 PM EDT
Tess, we are going through the same thing with my 17 year old brother!! I need help we have tried everything..he has done it for almost 2 years now! we have found over 50 cans in his room..im in san diego is there any way to contact you?

Posted by Tess on 20 Apr 08 05:54 PM EDT
My 17 year old son did Dust Off two years ago on several occations and as a result, he failed the 10th grade last year and is strugging this year. Since he admittied to me what he was doing, he has lost his ability to focus, to be sociable, stay in school, work a job for over 3 hours all due to his inability to be socialy active. He has thoughts that occupy his mind for weeks at a time. He is exhausted from fighting his mind and is now seeing a Phyciatrist and taking Abilify which only helps his thoughts to be less overpowering but it is not helping him enough to be normal. We cry to God daily and have hope and faith that the Lord will see him through his healing. I refuse to believe my son has brain DAMAGE for "Through Christ, All things are possible for those who wait on the Lord!" Our doctors can not find in the medical records anyone who has used this drug and lived. Only the ones who die are reported. The doctors can not come up with a diagosis! How many more kids are out there with mind problems from this drug that we don't know about? Ask your kids and Listen to them when they say they are having troubles learning in school! Thanks for reading. Tess

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