It can also lead to long-term use because toluene is psychologically addictive. Chronic abuse can cause neurological damage, kidney or liver failure, paralysis and death. Fuller insists that the glue was designed for shoes, not immature brains, and that the company is not responsible for product abuse. We don't sell to street children. If people, children or adults, get it illegitimately, that's a concern to us, but you've got to remember that's not our main focus.
Activists counter that glue makers can address the abuse problem in the production process.
In 1968, the U.S.-based Testor Corporation became an industry model when it added mustard oil to model airplane glue. Faced with rising toluene addiction a decade ago, children's activists in Central America asked manufacturers to follow Testor's lead. Activists did not believe that the additive would eradicate inhalant abuse, since hard-core users could turn to other substances. Rather, they argued that additives could discourage first-time users and eliminate the most available inhalant. Glue makers refused.