1. Vu-Du, 2. Tessier-Ashpool popper — chemical risk

Hazard

The product poses a chemical risk because it contains isoamyl nitrite which is classified as harmful by inhalation and if swallowed. In humans, the adverse effects resulting from inhalation of isoamyl nitrite, as well as other substances in the alkyl nitrite family, include headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, hypotension, restlessness and tachycardia; it can cause cyanosis, fainting, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, methemoglobinemia, visual disturbances (due to the increase in intraocular pressure) and increase in intracranial pressure. It may also lead to headaches, acute psychosis, temporary hemiplegia, coma and, in rare cases, sudden death. There have also been reports of haemolytic anaemia and, in some patients, formation of Heinz bodies. Inhalation can also trigger serious and extensive dermatitis.

Measures taken

• Seizure of the products by the authorities — Other

Product description

1. AETHER: The container is a brown glass 50-ml bottle with a black plastic cap. On the front of the bottle is a light-coloured label with a picture of a man wearing a straw cowboy hat and mirrored sunglasses. Underneath the picture, on a black band, appears the name of the product, Aether, with the first letter in light blue and the other letters in white. On the back of the bottle, against a white background, appear the two symbols indicating that the substance is harmful (black diagonal cross on an orange background) and highly flammable (black flame on an orange background) above the corresponding captions “harmful” and “highly flammable”. Underneath these symbols appears the following text: R 12-19-22-66-67; S 9-16-29-33; N° CE 200-467- 2. 2. POPSTAR: The container is a brown glass 10-ml bottle with a black cap. The beige-coloured label, with geometric leaf shapes in shades of grey, has a horizontal band that is orange on the front and fades into blue and violet on the back, and a vertical black stripe bearing the word ‘PopStar’ in white and yellow (gradating into orange) lettering. At the bottom of the stripe is a rainbow-coloured circle outlined in white. The label on the back of the bottle bears various captions: Commercial name: PopStar; isoamyl nitrite (97%) stabilised. The warnings for use of the product are also present, as are the name, address and e-mail of the importer/distributor, the risk phrases, the number CE 203-770-8 and the caption “Labelled in accordance with EC standards”. At the top are the two symbols indicating that the substance is harmful (black diagonal cross on an orange background) and highly flammable (black flame on an orange background) above the corresponding captions “harmful” and “highly flammable”.