Air duster drug use: Definition, signs, risks, getting help Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about air duster drug useMedically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP — By Anna Smith on May 30, 2022Air dusters are cans of compressed air. People use them to remove dust and dirt from hard-to-reach areas, such as between keyboard sets. However, some individuals inhale the gas from air dusters to get a feeling of euphoria. This can lead to serious side effects, including death. Air dusters are a form of aerosol. A person can misuse air dusters by inhaling the gas when someone sprays the can. However, inhaling air duster fumes can be dangerous. It can lead to serious side effects, such as liver problems, breathing problems, or possibly death. Read on to learn more about air duster misuse, including its dangers, signs of misuse, and when to seek help. What is an air duster or canned air Share on PinterestSensorSpot/Getty ImagesAir dusters are cans of compressed air that people use for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. Air dusters are legal to buy, and people can find them in many hardware stores. Air dusters are not a controlled substance. When individuals misuse them, air dusters are known as a type of inhalant. An inhalant is a substance that people typically only misuse through inhalation. Research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that around 1% of adolescents aged between 12⁠–17 years misused air dusters in 2015. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) notes that many states in the United States have tried to reduce this by limiting sales to minors. What is in canned air Air dusters can contain various ingredients, including some dangerous substances. They may contain dangerous ingredients that can cause side effects if a person inhales them, such as:difluoroethane, which can cause heart issues and loss of consciousnessnitrous oxide, which can cause dizziness, vomiting, and nauseaalkyl nitrites, which can cause increased heart rate or vomitingbutane, which can affect a person’s heart, leading to sudden deathpropane, which can cause convulsions and loss of consciousness As inhaling air duster fumes can be very dangerous, the substances in air dusters are not for inhalation. Air duster cans generally also have warnings on their labels to remind people to use them in well-ventilated areas. Alternative names Air dusters have various names that when retailers sell legally. These names include canned air or gas dusters. There are also certain terms referring to the misuse of air dusters, such as:huffingdustingcan of sunshinesunshine can How do people use it as a recreational drug A person can use various methods to get “high” using air dusters. These methods all involve inhaling the gas that the air duster produces. Methods in inhaling air duster gas include:sniffing or snorting the gas through the nosebagging, which involves spraying the gas into a plastic or paper bag and then breathing in the fumeshuffing, which involves saturating a rag with air duster gas and placing it over the nose or mouth to inhale Air duster highs generally only last a few minutes. However, a person may inhale the gas repeatedly to maintain their high. They may repeat this process for several hours. Inhaling air duster gas can cause individuals to experience various effects, such as:lightheadednessfeeling less self-conscioushallucinationsfeeling less in controlslurred speechinability to coordinate movementseuphoriadizzinessdrowsinessheadache Dangers Inhaling the gas from air dusters can be extremely dangerous. Air dusters contain various substances that can cause immediate harm when a person inhales them. Long-term use of air dusters can also cause serious damage to many parts of the body. Misuse of air dusters can cause side effects, such as:heart irregularitiesunconsciousnessirritation of the nose, throat, and lungscoughingdifficulty breathingshortness of breathirregular pulsepalpitationsinadequate circulationabnormal kidney functionfrostbite of the nasal cavitybreakdown of muscle tissueliver damagesuffocation due to displacement of air inside the lungscomaconvulsionsbrain or nerve damagebone marrow damagechoking on vomit after using an inhalantsudden sniffing death, which is when a person dies suddenly after breathing in an inhalant due to cardiac arrest Is it addictive The National Institution on Drug Abuse notes that, although unlikely, it is possible to develop an addiction to inhalants. Addiction to air dusters may occur if a person misuses them frequently. If someone has an addiction to air dusters, they may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using them. Withdrawal symptoms can include:nausealoss of appetitesweatingmood changestrouble sleeping Recognizing the signs of misuse and addiction There can be certain signs that a person is misusing air dusters, such as:having a large supply of air dusters in their housestashes of plastic bags or ragsfacial rashes or a constant sore throata chemical odor on their breath or clotheschanges in weightbehavior or mood changes When a person develops an addiction to something, they cannot stop using it, despite the effect it has on their life. Signs that an individual may have a substance use disorder (SUD) include:changing friends frequentlyspending a lot of time alonelosing interest in favorite activitiesnot caring for themselves, such as not washingfeeling exhausted or sadchanges in appetitemood swingsmissing important appointmentshaving difficulties at work or schoolhaving relationship issuesirregular sleeping habits When to seek medical help Misusing air dusters can be dangerous, no matter how often a person does it. If someone experiences any serious side effects after inhaling air duster gas, they should seek immediate medical attention. If individuals feel like they are addicted to air dusters, they can speak to a healthcare professional. A doctor can help a person receive treatment for their addiction. How to help someone who is misusing duster drugs It can be beneficial for a person with a SUD to know that they have the support of their loved ones. SAMHSA recommends that an individual’s loved ones use the following methods to let them know they are there to help them:let them know they are loved and supportedexpress concern while letting them know they are in a safe place to share their experiencestalk about any family history of substance misuse if it is relevantbe patient and compassionatehelp them find treatment resourcestell them that people can, and do, recover from SUDs Where to find help If a person would like help for their air duster misuse, they can speak with their healthcare professional. A doctor can discuss what treatment options might be best suitable. Alternatively, individuals can use online resources to find treatment services in their area. SAMHSA provides the online tool findtreatment.gov to help people search for treatment options near them. Summary People use air dusters to clean hard-to-reach areas. However, a person can misuse air dusters to get high. Inhaling the gas from an air duster can cause temporary feelings of euphoria. However, air dusters can contain various dangerous substances. When a person inhales them, these substances can cause serious side effects, such as organ damage, coma, or death. Although unlikely, air dusters can be addictive. A person with an addiction to air dusters may show certain signs, such as mood changes or problems at work. If someone has concerns about their air duster misuse, they can speak with their healthcare professional. Doctors can help find a suitable treatment. If a person experiences any serious side effects when misusing air dusters, they should seek immediate medical attention. Last medically reviewed on May 30, 2022Heart DiseaseAlcohol / Addiction / Illegal DrugsDrugsheartvalvedisorders 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Can you overdose or die if you use inhalants? (n.d.).https://teens.drugabuse.gov/can-you-overdose-or-die-if-you-use-inhalantsCao, S. A., et al. (2020). Air duster inhalant abuse causing non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7331924/Drug use and addiction. (2019).https://medlineplus.gov/druguseandaddiction.htmlHelping a loved one dealing with mental and/or substance use disorders [Fact sheet]. (n.d.).https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/samhsa_families_family_support_guide_final508.pdfInhalants. (n.d.).https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/inhalantsInhalants [Fact sheet]. (2020).https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Inhalants-2020_1.pdfInhalants drugfacts. (2020).https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/inhalantsLipari, R. N. (2017). Understanding adolescent inhalant use.https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_3095/ShortReport-3095.htmlNovotny, C. B., et al. (2019). Acute psychosis following 1,1-difluoroethane inhalation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6820689/Parents: Know about inhalant abuse. (n.d.).https://www.poison.org/articles/parents-must-know-about-inhalant-abuseFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP — By Anna Smith on May 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageCough and cold medications: Use them safelyMedically reviewed by Alan Carter, PharmD Cough and cold medications contain a wide array of active ingredients, and combination therapies target multiple symptoms. Which one should you choose?READ MOREIs alcohol a gateway drug?Medically reviewed by Alyssa Peckham, PharmD, BCPP A gateway drug is a substance that increases a person's risk of trying other drugs. Find out if alcohol can be considered a gateway drug. READ MOREWhat is the difference between opiates and opioids?Medically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP This article explores what opioids and opiates are, the difference between them, and how people can seek help for addiction and overdoseREAD MOREWhat is the timeline for opioid withdrawal?Medically reviewed by Alyssa Peckham, PharmD, BCPP Opioid withdrawal is a painful and potentially dangerous condition. It has several stages with varying symptoms. Learn more here. READ MOREWhat to know about tripping on DXM Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant that people may misuse to try to achieve feelings of euphoria. Misuse can lead to dangerous side effects.READ MORE