Characteristics and circumstances of volatile solvent misuse-related death in Australia, 2000-2021

Volatile solvent misuse covers the inhalation of substances that vaporise at room temperature for the purpose of intoxication or sexual experience enhancement. While there is a wide range of such solvents, they may be broadly categorised as gas fuels such as gas bottles), petroleum, aerosol propellants such as deodorant sprays), solvents from adhesives and paints, volatile anaesthetics such as nitrous oxide and nitrites such as amyl nitrite. VSM is associated with neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal pathology, as well as sudden death. The webinar described the circumstances of death and case characteristics of VSM-related death in Australia, 2000-2021, the toxicological profile of cases, and the major autopsy findings, and how we can respond to such harms.