What is chroming? The viral TikTok trend parents should know about
What is chroming? The viral TikTok trend parents should know about
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The viral ‘chroming’ trend has been circulating on social media apps including TikTok for quite some time – and one young Brit has even died after taking part. The dangerous practice sees people, often teenagers or children, inhale toxic chemicals, which can have fatal consequences.
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Last September, Cesar Watson-King, a 12-year-old from Doncaster, reportedly went into cardiac arrest after breathing in the scent of an antiperspirant can. He was placed into a medically induced coma. He survived but suffered after-effects, including tiredness and memory loss.
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Unfortunately, he’s not the only victim. In March 2024, Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington died as a result of chroming. The 11-year-old was at his friend’s house in Lancaster when police and paramedics rushed to the scene. He was officially pronounced dead later in hospital.
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His grandmother, Tina Burns, said he died instantly after inhaling toxic fumes, as part of the 'chroming' trend, and he’s not the only one. So what is the trend and what do parents need to know?. Chroming, which is also known as huffing or sniffing, is when someone inhales toxic chemicals. These include paint, solvent, aerosol cans, glue, cleaning products, or petrol.
Such inhalants affect the central nervous system and slow down brain activity, resulting in a short-term “high”. The practice is extremely dangerous and can also result in slurred speech, dizziness, and hallucinations. Nausea, vomiting, and disorientation are also side effects.
