Renna O’Rourke, 19, believed she was destined for stardom. “She always said, ‘I’m going to be famous, dad. Just you watch. I’m going to be famous’,” her father Aaron O’Rourke told 12 News.
Her pursuit of viral fame, however, ended in tragedy after she became the latest victim of TikTok’s dangerous “dusting” trend, a challenge that involves inhaling aerosol chemicals from household products to get high. The practice, also known as “huffing” or “chroming,” has long been condemned by health experts and authorities for its deadly consequences.
According to reports, the Tempe, Arizona resident had ordered an aerosol keyboard cleaner to her parents’ home, where she lived. Without her mother’s knowledge, she and her boyfriend attempted the dangerous challenge, and shortly after, Renna went into cardiac arrest. “She spent a week unconscious in the intensive care unit and then was declared brain-dead,” Aaron told 12 News.
The “dusting” trend is not new. According to CNN, nearly 564,000 American teenagers aged 12-17 reported using inhalants in 2022, an alarming statistic that, while down from 684,000 in 2015, still underscores the ongoing risk posed by viral substance abuse trends on social media.
According to CNN, nearly 564,000 American teenagers aged 12-17 reported using inhalants in 2022 (Source: Freepik)
Health experts have long warned about the dangers of inhaling household cleaners. Dr Vivek Anand Padegal, director – pulmonology at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, said, “Inhaling household cleaners can be fatal due to the toxic chemicals they contain, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hazardous substances. When inhaled, these chemicals can cause severe damage to the lungs, airways, and brain.”
Dr Padegal also said, “As soon as these substances are breathed in, they can trigger inflammation, irritation, and damage to the delicate tissues in the lungs, leading to respiratory distress, coughing, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can cause chemical pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and even death.”
Even in cases where exposure isn’t fatal, the long-term effects can be devastating.
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“Non-fatal exposure can cause chronic respiratory issues, such as reactive airway disease (similar to asthma), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and other long-term lung problems, as well as neurological damage,” Dr Padegal said.
As the O’Rourkes mourn the devastating loss of their daughter, they are speaking out to warn other parents, teens, and educators about the viral but deadly influence of trends like dusting. Their message is clear: no online fame is worth risking a life.
