Misuse of Correction Fluids and Nailpaint Removers

In compliance of the directions of Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh in CWP No.1332 of 2010 - VyaktiVikasKenderVs Union of India and others on the issue of misuse by children / street children of correction fluid / thinner, which are chemical substances generally used in offices, and other similar chemical substances, as intoxicating substance / drug by inhaling them to get stimulating effects like drugs, the Government issued a Notification on 17.7.2012 for regulating the manufacture / trade of these chemical substances. All State / Union Territory Governments and various Central Ministries / Departments have been requested to take immediate necessary action for enforcement of the measures contained in the said notification, by sensitizing the industries producing them and the traders / shops distributing / selling them. The measures mentioned in the said notification to be enforced include:

(i) Banning of production of bottled Correction Fluids as well as bottled Thinners, of any chemical composition, both for ink erasing purposes as well as for use as Nail Polish removers and similar other purposes for retail sale. 

(ii) Banning of sale of bottled Correction Fluids as well as bottled Thinners, of any chemical composition, both for ink erasing purposes as well as for use as Nail Polish removers and similar other purposes. 

(iii) Permitting sale of Correction Fluids as well as Thinners, of any chemical composition, both for ink erasing purposes as well as for use as Nail Polish removers and similar other purposes in the form of pens or similar devices which allow limited amounts of the chemicals to come out of those devices when used. 

(iv) Mandatory warning should be made on the application devices (pens or otherwise) of correcting fluids / thinners regarding the effects on health on inhalation of vapor / consumption of the chemicals contained therein. 

This information was given by Minister for Health & Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on 30 November 2012.

[Source: PIB Press Release dated 30 November 2012]