BUTANE Pronunciation: byū’ tān

What is Butane? It is a gaseous hydrocarbon present in natural gas Molecular Formula - C 4 H 10 The name Butane comes from the roots but- (from butyric acid) and –ane.

Usage of Butane Used by youth aged 12 – 17 It is found in legally made products like deodorants, air fresheners, They are cheap & easy for youth to get their hands on. It is easy to use as butane is inhaled, or is breathed in by using a cloth and placing it near the mouth

The Alternative Uses of Butane - Butane gas is sold bottled as a fuel for cooking & camping. - Butane is also known as LPG when blended with propane & other hydrocarbons. - As a petrol component - Feedstock for the production of base petrochemicals in steam cracking - Fuel for cigarette lighters - Propellant in aerosol sprays (such as deodorants, air fresheners)

Immediate Inhalant Effects -Euphoria (state of very intense happiness & feelings of well-being) -Drowsiness -Narcosis (deep stupor or unconsciousness) -Asphyxia (severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body) -Cardiac Arrhythmia (heart beat may be too fast or too slow & may be regular or irregular) -Frostbite

Long-term Use Effects Butane affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Together with the peripheral nervous system, it has an important role in the control of behaviour Central nervous system makes basic motor skills & other skills possible. 5 basic senses – texture, taste, sight, smell hearing are powered by the nervous system. Peripheral nervous system – not protected by bone unlike the central nervous system. Controls the coordination of body movements, functions of the body & receiving external stimuli

How does it affect the user It enters through the pulmonary system. A single use can be fatal – inhaling butane leads to oxygen displacement from red blood cells, hypoxia & asphyxiation.

Effects on Hauora -Increase in blood pressure & heart rate -Impaired coordination (Long term cognitive impairment) -Disorientation -Temporal distortion & confusion -Thick slurred speech -Delirium & Hallucinations

Effects on Hauora -A-Assaults & suicide attempts -M-Memory loss -S-Sleep disturbance -D-Depression & Anxiety -P-Personality Changes

Sudden Sniffing Death (SSD) Syndrome -Occurs without warning -Discontinuation of breathing the inhalant doesn’t reverse the sequence of events -Victims of SSD appear to sense something is wrong. They run away from the site of inhalation before collapsing and dying