The challenge, known as "chroming," is gaining traction on TikTok. Essentially, it involves inhaling toxic solvents, often household or industrial chemicals like kerosene, paint thinners, spray paint, acetone, hairspray and many others.
Tragically, young Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington fell victim to this trend during a sleepover with friends. He suffered what's believed to be cardiac arrest while attempting the challenge and passed away immediately. Despite efforts from hospital staff, they were unable to revive him.
From New York Post:
“He died instantly after a sleepover at a friend’s house. The boys had tried the TikTok craze ‘chroming,'” said the boy’s grandmother, Tina Burns.
“Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then. The hospital did everything to try and bring him back but nothing worked. He was gone.”
“He had a heart of gold just like his dad. Our family is utterly devastated,” she added.
Chroming involves inhaling the fumes from common household items like aerosol cans, nail polish remover, paint solvents and cleaning products to get high, while teens film the process and results to post online.
The practice can cause serious brain damage, suffocation, cardiac arrest and more with just one huff. The trend has led to numerous teen deaths around the world — and has spiked in popularity from the prevalence of chroming videos on social media.
Tommie-Lee’s family thinks the social media platform needs to “do more” to keep users safe, and should even be shut down to prevent other kids from dying.
“Both our families are utterly devastated but we all want the same thing,” Burns said, referring to the family of Tommie-Lee’s friend.
“We don’t want any other children to follow TikTok or be on social media.”
