Japan Faces New Method of Suicide: Internet Fad is Killing

Detergent and Lotion Creates Gas that Kills

Japan has a population groaning under the threat of suicide. Not only are people committing suicide, but the new Internet fad of mixing detergent and bath lotion is threatening to kill or sicken people around them. Heads up on a new fad of the Internet, a new method of suicide.

On Thurday, at least 350 people were evacuated in Northern Japan because of a suicide using the newest method of detergent and bath lotion. The fumes had escaped and was feared to harm neighbors.

This new method of suicide can be found on the Internet. It uses many chemicals but the popular one is two household items that are virtually found anywhere. Detergent and bath lotion. This combination can create hydrogen sulfide gas which is colorless and gives off a smell of rotten eggs. When inhaled, the gas leads to suffocation and/or brain damage.

Japan who has half of the population that the United States has incurs the same amount of suicides. Japan passed 30,000 suicides in 1998 and the numbers keep going up. Japan is said to have had the world's first Internet suicide pact. That suicide fad went on to plague other countries, including the U.S.

This new method of suicide is spread widely by the Internet. There are Internet sites that are solely for "how to do it" using detergent and body lotion. It would seem only a matter of time before the rest of the world is plunged into this dark nightmare.

In Japan, you are more likely to die by your own hand than be killed in a traffic accident. It is the 6th leading cause of death in Japan. With an ave. of 1 suicide every 15 min. the problem is beyond the norm for Japan.

The rise in suicides in 1998 was thought to be due to the economic slump at the time. Joblessness, bankruptcy, bad health and desperation were all held responsible. But that does not explain the youth on the Internet subscribing to this new suicide fad with chemicals.