Tragic Death of 19-Year-Old Stuns Parents: The Viral ‘Dusting’ Challenge You Need to Know About Before It’s Too Late

Ever wonder how something as harmless as a keyboard cleaner could turn fatal? Well, buckle up, because this isn’t your average cautionary tale. Renna O’Rourke, a bright 19-year-old with dreams bigger than Arizona’s skies, tragically lost her life chasing the fleeting buzz of the viral ‘dusting’ challenge—also known in the nasty corners of social media as ‘chroming’ or ‘huffing’. The premise? Inhaling household cleaners to snatch a quick high, all in the hopes of going viral online. Sounds like a cruel joke, right? Sadly, it’s anything but. Renna’s heart stopped after just a few breaths of aerosol keyboard cleaner she ordered secretly. Her parents, now shattered and rallying against this deadly trend, warn us that these invisible poisons aren’t just easy to get—they slip under the radar of all those typical drug tests and come with a price tag way steeper than a viral TikTok. So, if you think your teen’s “just trying something new,” maybe it’s time to dig deeper before it digs you a grave. Curious to know the full story and how this sinister trend spreads its toxic tentacles? LEARN MORE.

A 19-year-old girl has died after trying out the viral ‘dusting’ trend.

And her parents are now warning others about its deadly risks.

Renna O’Rourke had always dreamed of being famous as she told her mum and dad it was going to happen. But this is certainly not the way they expected their ‘vivacious and caring and loyal’ American teen to end up being known.

The social media challenge is also known as ‘chroming’ or ‘huffing’ as users inhale common household cleaners to get a brief ‘high’ and typically, to go viral online.

Other children and teens have sadly lost their lives after doing it with others hospitalised as a result of the inhalation.

Doctor Michael McKinney previously explained to LADbible: “When inhaled, these chemicals can cause immediate and long-term damage.”

Her parents want to honour her by spreading awareness. (GoFundMe)

For the ‘dusting’ challenge, Renna and her boyfriend had ordered aerosol keyboard cleaner to her parents’ home in Arizona, without their knowledge.

But after she inhaled it, the teen went into cardiac arrest.

“She spent the next seven days in the ICU. She never regained consciousness,” her mum, Dana, told Arizona’s Family, as she was eventually declared brain-dead.

“We don’t have children to bury them.”

Aaron and Dana are honouring their daughter by working to spread the dangers of this trend to other teens and parents.

“There’s no ID required. It’s odourless. It’s everything kids look for. They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn’t show in mom and dad’s drug test,” she said of how easily children can access these chemicals.

“Don’t take your kids word for it. Dig deep. Search their rooms. Don’t trust and that sounds horrible, but it could save their life.”

The parents warn of how easily the items can be accessed. (Getty Stock)

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the O’Rourke family with medical bills and burial expenses.

Raising over $10,000 so far, the family add that they will also use the proceeds ‘to spread awareness about the dangers of huffing/dusting.’

This dangerous trend has been around for a number of years as Dr McKinney told us about the various serious risks it poses to a person’s health.

These include: brain damage, cardiac arrest, respiratory issues, liver and kidney damage and addiction and behavioural issues.

With many products easily found in the house, doctors warn that ‘chroming’, ‘huffing’ or ‘dusting’ can become addictive when it’s done repeatedly.

The short-term effects contribute to this as it can be a similar feeling to being drunk, but the minor and major health risks it carries are simply not worth it.