Canada
United States
New Zealand
Australia
Ireland
In an alarming trend gaining traction on social media, a 13-year-old girl named Esra Haynes tragically lost her life participating in what’s called ‘chroming’.
What is ‘Chroming’?
Chroming involves inhaling paints and solvents to achieve a temporary high. “The problem is you have acetone in there, formaldehyde is in there,” explained Fox News contributor Dr. Marc Siegel.
“It irritates your skin, it can get into your lungs, you can have seizures, you can have a coma, and, again, we’re occasionally seeing people die from this.”
The trend echoes the age-old habit of huffing or sniffing various materials, with this variant entailing the inhalation of substances ranging from aerosol cans to metallic paints, gas, and solvents.
Rising Popularity and Devastating Consequences
According to Google Trends, interest in chroming surged around May 14. The trend garnered particular attention in Australia, where Esra Haynes died due to alleged chroming.
Despite its existence for several years, chroming led to the death of two 16-year-old boys in 2019, as reported by The Strait Times.
The Science Behind ‘Chroming’
Derived from sniffing chrome-based paint or deodorant cans to get high, the term ‘chroming’ now encompasses a broader range of substance inhalation.
“The biggest problem is the long-term cognitive problems — that it actually causes problems with concentration if you use it over time,” Siegel warned.
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne outlined the dangers of chroming in guidelines posted on its website.
The practice poses a risk of tachycardia — an elevated heart rate — and “varying levels of CNS depression,” or Central Nervous System depression, which slows brain activity.
Potential Health Risks and Dangers
Side effects of chroming extend to slurred speech, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting.
Although the effects may last just a few hours after exposure, chroming can trigger serious conditions like heart attacks, seizures, suffocation, coma, or permanent damage to vital organs like the brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.
Common sources for chroming include petroleum products, paint thinners, nail polish remover, hairspray, and lighter fluid. The chemicals are either inhaled directly from the container, soaked into a rag and breathed in, or placed inside a plastic bag before inhalation.
‘Chroming’ in the Midst of the Pandemic
A 2021 New York Times report suggested that lockdowns may have contributed to a rise in alternative substance abuse as stress and isolation pushed individuals to seek different outlets to manage their anxieties.
While it doesn’t explicitly link the pandemic to the resurgence of chroming in 2023, the trend’s sudden spike calls for scrutiny.
Efforts to Combat ‘Chroming’
Dr. Siegel criticized platforms like TikTok for allowing the trend to proliferate. “It’s one of the problems I have with social media and the impact it has,” he stated.
Following the tragic death of Esra Haynes, the Victoria Education Department in Australia has pledged to intensify efforts to educate children about the deadly effects of chroming.
As the trend continues to claim lives, there is an urgent need for parents, educators, and society at large to be vigilant, raising awareness of the dangers of chroming and taking necessary steps to safeguard the health and well-being of young people.
