Chloroethane: Difference between revisions

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units, formatting
(Added a reference to a specific dosage which can make individuals unconscious, added info about how <1sec of spray is enough to become unconscious, added risk mitigation techniques)
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Tag: 2017 source edit
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* 9-12%: Apnea (cessation of breathing), complete unresponsiveness, involuntary activation of reflexes (laryngospasm, bronchospasm, gagging), vomiting (which can cause aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs)
* 9-12%: Apnea (cessation of breathing), complete unresponsiveness, involuntary activation of reflexes (laryngospasm, bronchospasm, gagging), vomiting (which can cause aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs)
* >12%: Cardiac arrest and rapid death
* >12%: Cardiac arrest and rapid death
Chloroethane is administered recreationally through an aerosol spray, often onto a cloth or into a bag for huffing. The sprays can discharge >3cc/sec of chloroethane liquid which will rapidly evaporate, creating high concentrations of the gas. With doses as little as 3cc being able to make someone unconscious when sprayed on a cloth<ref>{{Cite book |last=Barton |first=George Alexander Heaton |url=http://archive.org/details/guidetoadministr00bartuoft |title=A guide to the administration of ethyl chloride |date=1907 |publisher=London, Lewis |others=Gerstein - University of Toronto}}</ref>, or less in a closed system like a bag. This results in an extremely small margin for a recreational dose compared to an amount which will make someone unconscious, or even death.  
Chloroethane is administered recreationally through an aerosol spray, often onto a cloth or into a bag for huffing. The sprays can discharge >3 mL/sec of chloroethane liquid which will rapidly evaporate, creating high concentrations of the gas. With doses as little as 3 mL being able to make someone unconscious when sprayed on a cloth<ref>{{Cite book |last=Barton |first=George Alexander Heaton |url=http://archive.org/details/guidetoadministr00bartuoft |title=A guide to the administration of ethyl chloride |date=1907 |publisher=London, Lewis |others=Gerstein - University of Toronto}}</ref>, or less in a closed system like a bag. This results in an extremely small margin for a recreational dose compared to an amount which will make someone unconscious, or even death.  


== Risks <!-- Describe the risks of this drug. --> ==
== Risks <!-- Describe the risks of this drug. --> ==
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Similar to other substances causing unconsciousness, additional overdosing may occur when the user loses consciousness and is unable to stop the supply of chloroethane. For example, if chloroethane is inhaled from a rag, the rag may stay over the mouth when the user passes out. Using a method of supply which requires constant active effort may reduce the risk of extreme and continued overdose after consciousness is lost when using chloroethane.
Similar to other substances causing unconsciousness, additional overdosing may occur when the user loses consciousness and is unable to stop the supply of chloroethane. For example, if chloroethane is inhaled from a rag, the rag may stay over the mouth when the user passes out. Using a method of supply which requires constant active effort may reduce the risk of extreme and continued overdose after consciousness is lost when using chloroethane.


Limiting dosage to quick sprays <0.1sec in duration (such as flicking or tapping the spray cap instead of holding it down, then the bottle placed down) which are repeated periodically can reduce the amount of chloroethane which has the potential to be inhaled at a given time, only reapplying after it has been fully used up. This can help avoid excess unevaporated chloroethane liquid from continuing to be present in the event of unconsciousness.
Limiting dosage to quick sprays <0.1 seconds in duration (such as flicking or tapping the spray cap instead of holding it down, then the bottle placed down) which are repeated periodically can reduce the amount of chloroethane which has the potential to be inhaled at a given time, only reapplying after it has been fully used up. This can help avoid excess unevaporated chloroethane liquid from continuing to be present in the event of unconsciousness.


== Known incidents <!-- Provide a list of links to articles describing incidents involving this drug. --> ==
== Known incidents <!-- Provide a list of links to articles describing incidents involving this drug. --> ==