What Are the Dangers of Canned Liquid Air?

Canned liquid air, sometimes called compressed air, is often used in office environments to remove dust and debris from hard-to-reach areas on equipment such as computer keyboards. Canned liquid air helps to ensure equipment is working at top efficiency and helps prevent the need for repairs. Canned air consists of gas compressed into a liquid and if you don't use it properly, can be dangerous, according to the National Safety Council website.

Flammability

• Most canned liquid air products have a warning on their labels instructing users to hold the can upright and to never spray it when the can is tilted or upside down. When you hold it improperly, the can of liquid air may dispense a flammable liquid on surfaces. The liquid can ignite if you expose it to an open flame or other ignition source such as sparks and electrical switches, according to the National Safety Council website. The risk of ignition is especially great in areas with poor ventilation. Unplug any electric devices from their power source before using canned air to avoid the danger of creating a fire. Also, only spray canned air in open, well-ventilated areas and follow the directions on the label for proper use. Do not expose the can to heat or store under direct sunlight or it could burst.

Frostbite

• Canned air contains a freezing liquid that can cause frostbite when a steady stream of air is directed on skin. The severity of frostbite can range from severe irritation and burning to cracked skin and damage to nerves, muscles and blood vessels, according to the National Safety Council. The warning label on a can of liquid air instructs to flush the exposed skin with lukewarm--not hot--water and to seek medical help if severely frostbitten. The National Safety Council website recommends wearing eye, skin and face protection when using canned liquid air.

Bodily Injuries

• The misuse of canned liquid air can result in serious bodily injuries. A ruptured eardrum or brain damage could occur if a blast from canned liquid air is sprayed at a pressure of under 40 p.s.i (pounds per square inch) 4 inches from an individual's ear, according to the Texas A&M University website. The website also states that 12 p.s.i can dislodge an eye from its socket or, if directed into the mouth, can rupture the lungs. Canned air can also enter the navel and rupture or inflate the intestines. You should never use canned air to remove debris or dust from your clothes because you can cause debris to enter your skin and possibly cause an embolism. Never direct the can's nozzle at another person or a part of your own body to avoid injuries. Do not horseplay with canned air or look into the end of the nozzle.

Drug Abuse

• Canned liquid air is a common inhalant used by individuals to reach a high, which is done by intentionally breathing in the gases from canned air. Abusing inhalants effects the body in several ways including loss of consciousness and inhibition. Serious side effects of inhalants include damage to the kidneys, liver, heart, brain and bone marrow, according to the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition website. The website also states that inhalants can cause sudden sniffing death syndrome, where the abuser can die anytime he abuses an inhalant, whether the first or one hundredth time. Inhalants by a pregnant woman can cause outcomes similar to fetal alcohol syndrome.