| Question | Answer |
| What is difluoroethane? | An alternative fluorocarbon found in aerosols (i.e. DustOff) |
| What are some signs of inhalant use? | Residue around nose or mouth.
Huffer's rash.
Nausea.
Watery, bloodshot eyes.
Intense headaches. |
| What are the routes of administration for inhalants? | Sniffing or snorting (direct inhalation)
Huffing (inhale from saturated rag)
Bagging (inhale from product sprayed in bag) |
| Describe the toxicity of inhalants. | Death is caused by hypoxia, a lack of oxygen to the brain. |
| What is sudden sniffing syndrome? | Fatal cardiac arythmia caused by inhalant use |
| How should samples be collected? | Collect the sample immediately, seal in a headspace vial. |
| What types of specimens should be collected? | Antemortem: blood, urine
Postmortem: blood, lung, liver, adipose |
| What demographics are seen with difluoroethane use? | 100% caucasian
71% male
Ages 18-47 |
| Hoe long do the effects of difluoroethane last? | The effects have a rapid onset and short duration. The user may not appear impaired by the time of arrest. |
| Describe the elimination of difluoroethane. | Elimination by the 2 compartment model. Fast elimination from the blood followed by a slower elimination from the adipose tissues. |
| What affect does difluoroethane have on the breath alcohol test? | DFE interferes with the breath alcohol test, but alcohol can still be quantified in the tox lab. |
