The researchers from the San Diego County Medical Examiner and Sheriff's offices said 17 country residents had died in the past five years who had levels of a gas contained in the familiar air dusters.
The gas, known as 1,1-diflouroethane, was listed as the cause of death in 13 cases, and cans of the air duster were found near 14 of the bodies.
"There are dangers out there, and when we find something of significance we try to alert not just the community, but the scientific community as well," Dr. Iain McIntyre, chief toxicologist for the medical examiner's office, told San Diego County's North County Times.
