No laughing matter: Cream spray cans seized
Authorities confiscate thousands of whipped-cream aerosol cans that contain nitrous oxide
Why are spray cans of whipped cream so popular among children and teens in Israel and around the world? It’s not to make strawberry shortcake. They are used to inhale nitrous oxide – “laughing gas” used by dentists for extractions – that makes them get “high.” In the metal aerosol containers, it acts as a propellant to get whipped cream out and a preservative to keep it from going rancid.
The Health Ministry reported on Thursday that in the past year it has confiscated hundreds of thousands of metal aerosol whipped cream containers with the dangerous gas, which poses the risk of causing unconsciousness and/or suffocation from the lack of oxygen which can cause irreversible brain damage. Some individuals have even died from it.
The ministry said inhaling the gas also causes dizziness, which might make users act carelessly or dangerously, and heavy regular use of nitrous oxide can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and to a form of anemia.
The ministry added that it is working in close cooperation with the enforcement agencies to deal with the phenomenon. Recently, in a joint activity of the ministry’s division for enforcement and supervision in cooperation with the Israel Police, large quantities of gas canisters suspected of being aimed at sales to teenagers were seized in kiosks and supermarkets in Ashdod. In addition, in the last year, closure orders were issued to two establishments where containers of the gas were sold.
According to the ministry, the product is sold illegally at parties and kiosks throughout the country. In Israel, two young men were recently hospitalized due to aerosol spray abuse.
Dr. Roni Berkowitz, director of the enforcement and supervision division, warned that the use of the gas “endangers those who are most precious to us – our children. It is a seemingly innocent product that ‘only’ leads to a feeling of euphoria, but it could lead to severe side-effects, some of which are life-threatening. I call on the children and the youth – take care of your health and do not use this product. And parents must become aware of its dangers and speak to their children about the matter.”
Because they are being snatched up by youngsters, there is a shortage of the product in many countries. People who want the whipped cream and not the gas can take sweet cream and whip it up themselves.