Teen’s Death Highlights Deadly ‘Dusting’ Trend Involving Keyboard Cleaner

The ‘dusting’ challenge, a dangerous social media trend, has claimed the life of a 19-year-old girl in the US. Renna O’Rourke of Arizona died after inhaling an aerosol keyboard cleaner. Her boyfriend had obtained the cleaner unbeknownst to her family. Inhaling the cleaner led to cardiac arrest and ultimately, brain death. The trend, also called ‘huffing’ or ‘chroming,’ involves inhaling household cleaners to get a high, with potential severe health consequences, including heart failure. Renna’s mother has emphasized the ease with which children can access these dangerous substances. In response to this tragedy, the family is actively campaigning to raise awareness about the risks of ‘dusting’ and urging parents to take preventative measures. A GoFundMe campaign has also been started to help with the medical expenses. This incident mirrors a similar event in the UK in March 2024, where a young boy also died after inhaling toxic substances.