Northern Territory children are breaking into remote airstrips to sniff toxic aviation fuel in what's been labelled a public health crisis.
A health organisation estimates about 100 youngsters from Elcho Island and nearby indigenous communities are abusing the aeroplane fuel known as Avgas.
The bulk of sniffers are aged between 10 and 17 but there's been a handful of kids who are even younger.
The volatile substance carries serious health risks and 10 people in the north-east Arnhem Land region have been hospitalised in Darwin.
Miwatj Health chief health officer Lucas de Toca says a number of kids have recorded high blood lead levels, which can cause long term cognitive and behavioural difficulties.
"Sniffing can be fatal," he said.
"It's a public health emergency."
Young people have been climbing onto the wings of planes to siphon the extremely flammable Avgas from fuel tanks since March last year, and there are concerns about explosion risks.
The NT government has provided $70,000 for a guard dog and security officer to patrol the airport nightly over the next three months.
Marthakal Group, which runs the airport, had previously embarked on a costly trial relocating the charter planes more than 100km to Nhulunbuy each night.
Chief executive Yvonne Sutherland believes the best long-term solution would be a $400,000 high security aviation facility.
Dr de Toca says while cutting supply, the government is working with health providers and community leaders to address the complex underlying causes of sniffing.
"We're supporting families with intervention and education services," he said.
"We need a sustainable local workforce because the solution is only going to come from Yolngu people talking to Yolngu people."
Remote Aboriginal communities have long struggled with petrol and aerosol sniffing but the introduction of the non-sniffable, low-aromatic Opal fuel in 2005 has helped combat the epidemic.
