What is 'dusting' challenge? 19-year-old US teen dies after inhaling keyboard cleaner in viral TikTok trend

In a shocking incident, a 19-year-old girl from Arizona died after attempting a viral, life-threatening trend called the 'dusting' challenge on TikTok to get famous.

According to AZ Family, her parents revealed that she was taking part in the viral 'dusting' challenge, which is also called 'chroming.' The teen has been identified as Renna, whose parents further told AZ, the local broadcast television network, that she went into cardiac arrest soon after inhaling the toxic fumes.

Following this, she was immediately rushed to the hospital and remained unconscious for nearly a week before being declared brain dead.

The teen participated in the trend to get famous

The teen's father, Aaron O¡¯Rourke, shared her desire to be famous. He said she always used to say that he would be a famous dad, 'Just you watch.' Unfortunately, this is not under the most optimal of circumstances," he added.

Her mother, Dana, pointed out how dangerous this trend is and how easily accessible the substance is. She said, to get the substance, there is no ID proof is required, as well as it is odourless.

Credit: Facebook | @AaronO'Rourke

"It¡¯s everything kids look for. They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn¡¯t show in Mum and Dad¡¯s drug test," she added. Both the parents of the deceased are now engaged in the work to raise awareness about the lethal trend that has already claimed many young lives.

What is 'dusting' or chroming?

The latest TikTok trend, currently going viral on the social media platform, is called 'dusting' or 'chroming.' This is a risky recreational activity that involves inhaling hazardous household chemicals and substances like nail polish remover, hairspray, aerosol deodorant, lighter fluid, gasoline, paint thinners, spray paint, and permanent markers, as per Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.

According to the American Addiction Centres, this form of drug use leads to a brief euphoric effect, but it is a dangerous activity that can even lead to adverse effects, including dizziness, vomiting, cardiac arrest, and brain damage.

Past cases of deaths linked to the 'dusting' trend on TikTok

This is not the first case of death; earlier to this, in 2024, an 11-year-old UK boy, Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington, died while attempting the 'chroming' challenge at a friend's house.

A 2017 study titled "Understanding Adolescent Inhalant Use" found that over 684,000 teenagers engaged in the harmful habit of sniffing or huffing chemicals, even though the online trend is a new fad in and of itself.

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