Latest news with #RennaO'Rourke
Express Tribune
14 hours ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
What is the 'dusting' challenge? 19-year old dies after participating in viral trend online
A 19-year-old Arizona teenager has died after participating in a deadly social media trend called the 'dusting challenge,' sparking urgent warnings from doctors and devastated parents. Renna O'Rourke was declared brain dead after inhaling computer dusting spray—a form of inhalant abuse known as 'dusting' or 'chroming'—that replaces oxygen in the body, causing sudden organ failure. Renna's father, Aaron O'Rourke, confirmed her death on June 1 after four days in intensive care. 'She always said, 'I'm gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch. I'm gonna be famous,'' he told AZ Family. 'Unfortunately this is not under the most optimal of circumstances.' The 'dusting' trend has gained traction online among teens, who inhale cleaning sprays to feel temporarily euphoric. Dr. Randy Weisman of HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center said, 'It replaces the oxygen within their lungs and body,' noting it can lead to heart failure, liver damage, and death. Renna's official cause of death was sudden sniffing death syndrome. A GoFundMe page set up by her father is raising funds for medical and funeral costs, and aims to spread awareness of the lethal consequences of inhalant abuse. The family is urging parents to take action. 'Don't trust. That sounds horrible, but it could save their life,' Dana added.
Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Spent a week unconscious in ICU, declared brain-dead': Teen loses life trying viral TikTok ‘dusting' challenge; know what it is
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. 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. '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.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Health
- Sunday World
Parents of teen who died in dangerous TikTok trend highlight dangers of ‘dusting'
Also known as 'chroming' or 'huffing' the activity can make the user feel drunk and euphoric for a couple of minutes but can also be deadly The parents of a teen who died in a dangerous TikTok trend have highlighted their daughter's story in a bid of warn others of the dangers. Renna O'Rourke of Arizona died in the social media challenge, known as 'dusting' in which participants sniff computer dusting spray to get high. Also known as 'chroming' or 'huffing' the activity can make the user feel drunk and euphoric for a couple of minutes but can also be deadly. Renna O'Rourke as a child News in 90 Seconds - 7th June Renna, who always dreamed of being a star, had told her dad 'I'm gonna be famous', died of sudden sniffing death syndrome at age mother Dana O'Rourke described her as 'vivacious and caring and loyal' as she warned of the potential killers in cabinets. 'There's no ID required (to purchase) said Dana. '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.' Dr Randy Weisman who leads the Intensive Care Unit at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center said that in a short amount of time, the damage is done after just one huff and can be irreversible and even deadly. 'She's not the only one that this has happened to. Several other teenagers have succumbed to this same disorder,' said Dr Weisman. 'She spent the next seven days in the ICU. She never regained consciousness,' Dana added. 'We don't have children to bury them.' Elena Zavalza, programme director with notMYkid, joined Good Morning Arizona with advice for parents around the "chroming" and "dusting" trends. 'This is extremely concerning,' she said. 'When they inhale these chemicals in the gas it will actually replace the oxygen within their lungs and within the rest of their body.' In a message for parents, Dana said: 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,' she said. A GoFundMe has been started to help pay for medical bills and burial expenses. 'On Sunday, June 1 at 1.30pm, our wonderful daughter, after 4 days in the ICU, was pronounced brain dead,' the page reads. 'She was the light in every room she walked into, and the pain that her family and friends feel is simply immeasurable. We want to use the proceeds of this fundraiser to cover the extensive medical bills, burial costs, therapy costs, and to spread awareness about the dangers of Huffing/Dusting, the practice of inhaling keyboard cleaner or similar. 'We are currently actively working on both a TV news segment and pursuing legislation to help prevent any other families from having to go through this.'
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Teen dies after viral TikTok challenge; what is 'dusting' and how it causes sudden sniffing death
If you have a child who spends a considerable amount of time online, they may have heard of a new trend that is making the rounds — dusting. 'Dusting' is a viral trend in which individuals inhale cleaning spray for a brief moment of intoxication. Some trends often go viral, with many unassuming children jumping on the bandwagon in an attempt to gain popularity. Earlier, trends like the ' Blue Whale Challenge ' also went viral, which led to many children causing harm to themselves. This week, Renna O'Rourke, a 19-year-old living in the United States, succumbed to sudden sniffing death syndrome after she participated in the challenge. She ordered a computer cleaning spray to her home and inhaled its contents. After battling for four days in the ICU, she passed away — never having regained consciousness. Speaking to local media, her parents are now trying to raise awareness of such dangerous challenges that young people often participate in. Her father, while speaking to 12 News, said that she often said 'I'm gonna be famous, Dad'. "Unfortunately, this is not under the most optimal of circumstances," he added. Her parents have urged other parents to keep an eye on their children's online activities. They have even asked other guardians to be mindful of the things children keep in their room and have access to. What is sudden sniffing death syndrome? Sudden sniffing death syndrome occurs when a fatal cardiac event takes place after inhaling some substances, often inhalants. Inhalants are chemical vapours found in common household products like glue, paint thinners, cleaning fluids, and even some types of gas. Sometimes, when a person inhales such substances, they can experience various effects which includes heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), that can cause sudden cardiac arrest.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
US Girl, 19, Dies After Trying Viral "Dusting" Challenge. All About This Deadly Social Media Trend
A 19-year-old girl in the US died on Sunday after taking part in a deadly social media trend called "dusting". According to The Independent, Renna O'Rourke from Arizona died after spending four days in the intensive care unit (ICU). Her parents said that she and her boyfriend ordered aerosol keyboard cleaner without their knowledge. After inhaling the keyboard cleaner, the teen went into cardiac arrest, spent a week unconscious in the ICU and then was declared brain dead. "She always said, 'I'm going to be famous, dad. Just you watch. I'm going to be famous,' and unfortunately, this is not under the most optimal of circumstances," the girls' father Aaron O'Rourke, said, per the outlet. "Dusting," also known as "chroming" or "huffing," is a viral trend that involves inhaling common household cleaners to get high for views online. The sensation reportedly causes brief euphoria but can cause instant, fatal damage, often due to heart failure, according to the Cleveland Clinic. According to a GoFundMe page, Renna was pronounced brain dead after purposely breathing in the cleaning spray. "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," Renna's mother, Dana O'Rourke, said, per People. "She never regained consciousness," her mother added. Renna's parents described their late daughter as "vivacious and caring and loyal." Her father said that the 19-year-old loved to sing and lit up every room with her smile and laughter. Now, the O'Rourke family is working to honour Renna by spreading the word about the dangers of huffing for teens and parents. "Dig deep. Search their rooms. Don't trust - and that sounds horrible, but it could save their life," the mother said. They also started a GoFundMe page to cover the extensive medical bills, burial costs and therapy costs. Renna's father also plans to use the proceeds to spread awareness about the dangers of Huffing/Dusting, the practice of inhaling keyboard cleaner or similar. Notably, this trend has been around for years. In March 2024, an 11-year-old boy from the U.K. died after copying videos he had seen on social media of people sniffing or inhaling toxic substances. Figures cited by CNN also show an increase in the number of teens taking part in this deadly trend. From 2015 to 2022, the number of 12- to 17-year-old American adolescents using inhalants declined from 684,000 in 2015 to 554,000 in 2022, according to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
