Inhalation of Computer Duster Spray among Adolescents: An Emerging Public Health Threat?

Abstract

Background: Anecdotal reports and recent medical examiner and poison control center studies suggest that computer duster spray (CDS) inhalation is an emerging public health threat. However, there is a current dearth of empirical data on CDS use. Objectives: Study aims were to examine the prevalence, frequency, correlates, and modalities of CDS use among a treatment sample of antisocial youth. Methods: A battery of standardized psychosocial instruments was administered via interview of 723 Missouri adolescents in residential care for antisocial behavior. Results: Lifetime CDS use was prevalent (14.7%) in this young service population (97.7% of whom participated). CDS users were significantly more likely to report histories of perinatal injuries or illness, traumatic experiences, suicidality and physician-diagnosed mental illness, and evidenced higher levels of psychiatric symptoms, antisocial attitudes and behaviors, and polydrug use than CDS nonusers. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: CDS use was endemic in this treatment sample of adolescents and associated with a range of clinically significant comorbidities. Current findings describe an underrecognized and potentially dangerous form of substance misuse that has rarely been studied but that may be of growing importance.