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Arizona teen dies attempting ‘dusting’ challenge. All about this life-threatening social media trend

The 19-year-old went into cardiac arrest while attempting the viral “dusting” challenge and was rushed to the hospital.

Updated on: Jun 7, 2025, 07:38:18 IST
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A 19-year-old girl from Arizona tragically died while trying a dangerous social media trend, reported the AZ Family. As per the outlet, her parents claim she was attempting the viral “dusting” challenge, also called “chroming”.

What is the challenge all about?

19-year-old Arizona teen Renna O’Rourke died Sunday after trying the “dusting” challenge. (Screengrab (Facebook))
19-year-old Arizona teen Renna O’Rourke died Sunday after trying the “dusting” challenge. (Screengrab (Facebook))

In this trend, social media users record themselves inhaling keyboard cleaning spray to get higher views on their profiles and videos. While copying the trend, Renna O’Rourke went into cardiac arrest.

Also Read: Deadly trend: Brazilian teen dies after injecting butterfly into veins, cops suspect viral challenge

She was immediately rushed to the hospital and remained unconscious for nearly a week. Following this, she was declared brain dead.

"Heartbroken parents"

“She always said, ‘I’m gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch. I’m gonna be famous,’ and unfortunately, this is not under the most optimal of circumstances,” her father, Aaron O’Rourke, told AZ Family.

Dr Randy Weisman, the head of the Intensive Care Unit at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, labelled the trend as "extremely concerning”, reported the outlet.

Also Read: 14-year-old US teen falls in love with AI chatbot, shoots himself to ‘come home’ to her

Also Read: Deadly trend: Brazilian teen dies after injecting butterfly into veins, cops suspect viral challenge

While explaining the danger of the “dusting” challenge, he 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.”

Inhaling the gas can make someone feel euphoric for a couple of minutes but the damage done by it can be irreversible and fatal. The doctor explained it can cause, “Failure of the liver, heart failure, disease of the lungs.”

“She’s not the only one that this has happened to. Several other teenagers have succumbed to this same disorder,” Weisman continued.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta

Trisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.

Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.
Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.
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