What is 'Chroming'? The Origin Of The Viral Challenge And Trend Of Inhaling Chemicals Explained

A 13-year-old Australian girl died on March 2023 trying to do the viral chroming trend on social media. The TikTok challenge, also known as chroming or huffing, has been introducing a new drug that is gaining popularity among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, which is becoming a cause of concern for parents all over the globe, and for a good reason.

Here's everything you need to know about chroming and the effects it can cause.

Where Does The 'Chroming' Trend Come From?

The expression chroming was initially popularized in Australia and was first defined in Urban Dictionary on July 7th, 2006, as, "The process of getting high from aerosol cans sprayed into a paper bag and inhaled." The action involves inhaling toxic chemicals through the nose or mouth, mostly found in aerosol cans, paint, permanent markers, acetone, hairspray, deodorants, lighter fluid, glue, cleaning products or petrol, which mainly contain nitrous oxide otherwise known as "laughing gas."

On September 4th, 2019 the 7NEWS Australia YouTube channel posted a video reporting on a supposed "chroming epidemic" in Brisbane, which includes footage of young people inhaling toxic chemicals in the back of a bus. The report also claims a 12-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl were badly burned while chroming (shown below). The video amassed over 1,600 views and 11 likes in four years.

How 'Chroming' Became A Viral Trend On Social Media?

A New York Times article from January 2021 explained how young Americans started to be exposed to inhaling toxic chemicals practices on social media, mainly due to notorious celebrities and people showing off their usage online. On TikTok, the term has garnered over 8.3 million views.

News about young teens dying or being hospitalized became a common topic as the trend was spread on social media. The most notable case is the chroming death of Esra Haynes, a 13-year-old Australian girl who passed away on March 31, 2023 from chemical exposure while at a sleepover.

On April 9th, 2023, TikToker @matilda.ta posted a video mourning Haynes's death (shown below). The story was subsequently reported by several news outlets, warning about the dangers of inhaling the toxic substance.

Why Is It Called Chroming?

The name "chroming" was coined from the act of sniffing chrome-based paint, but now more broadly "refers to the inhalation of volatile substances which act as depressant drugs" according to the National Retail Association.

What Are The Dangers Of 'Chroming'?

Chroming can result in the following effects: seizures, heart attack, suffocation, sudden sniffing death, coma and organ failure.

An online document titled About Inhalant Abuse from the State Government of Victoria, Australia, stated that "heavy use for a long time, such as chroming over long periods (up to 10 years), has been known to cause some permanent brain damage."

For the full history of chroming, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry on the slang term for even more information.