Hazardous Substances
Betel Quid (Areca Nut / Paan)
Street names: Paan, Betel nut, Areca nut, Supari, Gutka
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Mild stimulant: alertness, warmth, euphoria at first chew
- Red saliva, stained teeth
⚠Key risks
- GROUP 1 CARCINOGEN — oral cancer risk comparable to tobacco; red-stained oral lesions precede cancer
- 400M+ users in South/Southeast Asia — massive public health burden
- Recreational use among youth in diaspora communities
- TMJ damage, tooth destruction
- Addictive — arecoline is psychoactive
✚Overdose signs
- Oral lesions, white/red patches (precancerous)
- Difficulty opening mouth (oral submucous fibrosis)
- Jaw pain
Category comparison — Hazardous Substances
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betel Quid (Areca Nut / Paan) | Legal most places; regulated India/Pakistan; IARC Group 1 carcinogen | GROUP 1 CARCINOGEN — oral cancer risk comparable to tobacco; red-stained oral lesions precede cancer; 400M+ users in South/Southeast Asia — massive public health burden | $0.10–$1 per quid — pennies-scale addiction |
| Potassium Cyanide (KCN) | Not a drug — regulated toxic chemical | Lethal dose ~200–300 mg — death within minutes to an hour; No antidote available outside hospital; hydrogen cyanide gas from acid contact | N/A — sometimes sold fraudulently as 'peaceful exit' scams |
| Air Duster (Computer Duster / Canned Air) | Household product — not a drug; no age restriction on purchase | SUDDEN SNIFFING DEATH — the most deadly inhalant: difluoroethane sensitizes the heart to adrenaline; a sudden fright, chase, or exertion triggers fatal cardiac arrest. First-time users die; Frostbite to lungs and airway from direct spray | $3–$8 per can at any electronics/office store |
| Gasoline / Petrol Huffing | Not a drug — fuel product | Extremely toxic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene); Sudden sniffing death — cardiac arrest | Effectively free — siphoned fuel |
| Glue / Solvent Sniffing | Not drugs — adhesives and solvents | The CLASSIC youth inhalant — peak use age 14–15; Sudden sniffing death from cardiac arrest | $1–$5 per tube/can — pocket money prices |
| Refrigerant / Freon Huffing | Not a drug — HVAC refrigerant | EXTREMELY dangerous — refrigerant gases (difluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane) cause sudden cardiac death at high rates; Frostbite to airways | Stolen/siphoned — no price, high death cost |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Betel Quid (Areca Nut / Paan) look like?
Areca nut wrapped in betel leaf with slaked lime (+ tobacco sometimes); chewed and spat or swallowed
What are the signs of a Betel Quid (Areca Nut / Paan) overdose?
Oral lesions, white/red patches (precancerous); Difficulty opening mouth (oral submucous fibrosis); Jaw pain Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
GROUP 1 CARCINOGEN — oral cancer risk comparable to tobacco; red-stained oral lesions precede cancer Dependence can develop with regular use.