What is chroming? Viral social media challenge explained as kids die

Chroming, also known as huffing, is a new fad that’s going around Gen Z and Gen Alpha that involves inhaling toxic fumes which has proven to have deadly consequences.

The “chroming” trend on TikTok has taken the lives of several young users after it was spread as a viral trend on the platform.

One of the victims was Esra Haynes, a 13-year-old student from Melbourne, Australia. Esra passed away on 31 March 2023, from chemical exposure while at a sleepover after taking part in the TikTok trend. She reportedly sniffed an aerosol deodorant, which is believed to be what caused her death.

After participating in the activity, Haynes suffered irreparable brain damage and a cardiac arrest, according to The Sun. She was hospitalized for a week before she died.

Haynes’ parents are now warning others of the risks associated with chroming, which has grown popular on social media. Paul Haynes said on the Australian TV show ‘A Current Affair‘: “Esra would’ve never have done this if she’d had known the consequences. That it could take your life.”

What is the chroming challenge on social media?

The word ‘chroming’ is an informal term that originates from Australia. It refers to the act of inhaling fumes from a toxic source, such as an aerosol can, a spray deodorant, or a paint container. 

On TikTok, users engaging in ‘chroming’ post videos under the term ‘WhipTok’, a slang term for the recreational use of nitrous oxide. ‘Whiptok’ has over 546.3 million views on the platform.

Despite its recent spike in popularity, it’s not a new activity. For example, a U.S. report estimated that 684,000 adolescents engaged in huffing or sniffing chemicals in 2015.

As for why they’re popular with teens, “inhalants are cheap, legal and easy to get. They have a high potential for abuse — especially by children and young adults,” the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) said.

According to the National Retail Association in Australia, even if the term “chroming” has expanded, the term first originated from the practice of sniffing chrome-based paint to achieve a high. 

Some examples of toxic chemicals used are aerosol cans, paint, solvents, permanent markers, nail polish remover, hairspray, deodorants, lighter fluid, glue, cleaning supplies, nitrous oxide, and gasoline.

What are the risks of chroming?

Chroming involves inhaling toxic substances to create a temporary high, similar to the effects of alcohol. However, the activity can result in deadly side effects, including heart attack, seizures, suffocation, coma, choking, or fatal injury, and can cause permanent organ damage.

Long-term abuse of the drug can also lead to cognitive impairment, including the inability to concentrate, memory loss, impaired judgment, and a lower IQ, according to the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research.

Another teen dies as a possible result of TikTok “chroming” challenge

In September 2023, another teen died as a possible result of the TikTok “chroming” fad, with Irish authorities investigating the death of 14-year-old Sarah Mescall.

According to reports from the Irish Independent, Mescall passed away on September 25, three days after being admitted to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin. She reportedly collapsed after allegedly partaking in the “chroming” challenge and woke up at some point to tell her mother what happened before fainting again.

Mescall was then placed into a medically-induced coma and succumbed to her injuries.

TikTok responds to death of teen from supposed “chroming” challenge

TikTok released a statement in response to Mescall’s death. “Content of this nature is prohibited on our platform and would be removed if found,” the statement said.

“We will continue to prioritize protecting and supporting our community, working with expert partners and providing safety resources to those who need them.”

11-year-old boy dies after allegedly attempting “chroming” challenge

On March 6, 2024, it was reported that an 11-year-old boy also died after supposedly trying the “chroming” challenge at a sleepover with friends.

Authorities claim they found the boy unresponsive at the scene, and he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The boy’s grandmother spoke out against TikTok in a statement to local news, claiming she wants TikTok banned for good in order to prevent more deaths.

“We want to get TikTok taken down, and no children to be allowed on any social media under 16 years of age,” she claimed. “This is breaking us all, but we want to help save other children’s lives and give families awareness to keep their children safe.”

Man arrested in connection of 11-year-old’s death from TikTok “chroming” challenge

In June 2024, Lancashire Police stated that a 25-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of “child cruelty, neglect, possession with intent to supply a drug and money laundering” in connection to Tommy-lee’s death.

A 35-year-old woman was also questioned on allegations of “possession with intent to supply” as part of the investigation.

12-year-old girl hospitalized after allegedly attempting “chroming” challenge

A 37-year-old mom in the United Kingdom is sending out a warning to parents after her 12-year-old daughter, Tiegan, reportedly huffed “five or six cans” of spray-on deodorant with a friend at a sleepover in an attempt at trying the viral “chroming” challenge sweeping social media in April 2024.

The mom, Mikayla Solomon, brought her daughter to the emergency room after she started experiencing worrying symptoms of “dizziness and heart palpitations.”

Although Tiegan was released with a clean bill of health, she began to suffer from even more symptoms like “severe diarrhea, sulfuric burps and a sensation that everything was in slow motion,” as per the New York Post.

Kennedy News & Media / Mikayla Solomon

Solomon claimed her daughter threw up for “two weeks straight,” and although they went back to the emergency room for more testing, reports came back negative. Now, Solomon is using her experience to warn other parents about the impact social media can have on their young children.

“Parents need to know the dangers,” Mikayla said. “If you think your child has done this, get them checked. It can cause long-term damage.”

12-year-old boy goes into cardiac arrest after inhaling can of deodorant 

36-year-old mom of four, Nichola King, found her 12-year-old son Cesar seizing on the floor after he attempted the “chroming” challenge. The incident took place in the summer of 2024 after Cesar was introduced to the TikTok trend by an older friend.

“He went blue and stopped breathing. I thought he’d died,” Nichola, who performed CPR on her son, said.

When Cesar was brought to the hospital, he was placed into a medically-induced coma for 48 hours after going into cardiac arrest. He ultimately regained his strength and was released from the hospital eight days later. 

However, the 12-year-old faces memory damage, as his mom said his short-term memory is “very bad,” adding that Cesar doesn’t remember taking part in the challenge.

Much like many other parents of those who have attempted the chroming challenge, Nichola shared her son’s story in hopes of preventing others from trying the trend.

She also told Cesar to never participate in anything so dangerous ever again – something that he assured his mom he would agree to.

This is not the only dangerous trend that has gone viral on the platform. Although TikTok has taken action to prevent these trends from spreading in some cases. They have also removed hashtags that can help them grow. But it’s not always enough. Here’s a list of some of the most dangerous or controversial trends that have appeared on TikTok.