CLARENCE — An unidentified 29-year-old man is recovering at home after New York State Police say he got high off compressed air in the parking lot of Walmart on Transit Road.
NYSP says that Troopers responded to the Walmart parking lot today in response to a report of an unconscious man in a car, where they found the man who was initially unable to communicate and not cognizant of his surroundings. Twin City EMS responded and evaluated the man, who eventually became coherent. He declined further treatment and was taken home by a family member.
Police say the subject had just purchased four cans of compressed air and was inhaling the contents. Although compressed air seems harmless, most brands of the product have dangerous propellant gases such as fluorinated hydrocarbon that when inhaled cause a sense of paralysis and euphoria. Inhaling such gases can cause damage to the brain, heart, lungs and even cause death. Although reported incidents are rare, police warn parents to be aware of the dangers of abuse of these readily available products.