1,1-difluoroethane is a volatile hydrocarbon used as a propellant in air duster products. Inhalation can result in CNS effects and death.
Alternative name: HFC-152a
Clinical signs and symptoms of 1,1-difluorethane inhalant abuse:
(1) confusion
(2) lethargy
(3) impaired judgment
(4) loss of motor coordination
(5) loss of consciousness
(6) acute psychosis
(7) cardiac arrhythmias
(8) sudden death
It may be used alone or in combination with other CNS depressants.
It has been a cause of impaired driving.
Chronic use can result in neurologic complications, heterotopic ossification and cardiomyopathy.
Acute exposures may be associated with measurable levels in blood and urine for a few hours after use.
In postmortem examinations it may be found in blood, brain and lung as well as tracheal air (if an appropriate collection device is available).
