The death of a Dunedin student from inhaling fly spray has prompted calls for preventive measures to curb an "extremely dangerous practice".
Otago-Southland coroner David Crerar recommended his findings be forwarded to the New Zealand National Poisons Centre, to the Medical Officer of Health and "that further publicity be given to the dangers of inhalant abuse".
The findings follow the death of Mamahere Francis Taana at her Calton Hill, Dunedin, home on February 17 last year.
Police inquiries established the 21-year-old had taken a can of fly spray into her room the previous night with the intention of sniffing the contents.
Instead of becoming intoxicated, she received a fatal dose and died. An autopsy examination found the cause of death was "acute cardiorespiratory failure due to poisoning by inhalation of fly spray".
The coroner found the death of the Dunedin woman was "another tragic outcome of a young person experimenting with the inhalation of toxic substances".
A family representative declined to speak when contacted yesterday.
The finding noted comments from Dr Michael Beasley, of the New Zealand National Poisons Centre, that inhalant abuse was a persisting problem in New Zealand and "an extremely dangerous practice".
Dr Beasley told the Otago Daily Times solvent abuse, or "huffing", had been an important youth issue for several years - "we have had inquiries for 10-year-olds or even less, so it is a real concern".
While most users grew out of the habit, "there is the odd tragedy along the way", and it was important to highlight the dangers of "huffing" for parents and children alike.
Parents should note warning signs concerning "huffing", particularly when aerosols were found in their child's room, he said.
The toxic effects associated with acute volatile solvent abuse deaths are: a lack of oxygen, slowing of heartbeat and cardiac arrest, respiratory depression and disturbance of heart rhythm.
Inhalant abuse
• Often referred to as "bagging", "huffing" or "sniffing".
• Children as young as 6 to 8 have been treated.
• Most inhalants are legal, inexpensive and easy to obtain.
• Symptoms include intoxication, mood swings, changing sleep patterns, runny noses, and eye irritations.
• Dangers include heart failure, suffocation, explosions, choking on vomit.
• In case of poisoning contact 0800 POISON (0800 764 766).
