A 13-year-old Australian girl has tragically lost her life as a result of a dangerous social media trend known as "chroming."
The devastating incident has sparked calls for action and heightened awareness of the harmful effects of hazardous activities.
Another Dangerous Trend
As reported by Fox News, this dangerous trend involves inhaling fumes from various substances, including aerosol cans, metallic paints, gas, and solvents.
The act of sniffing chrome-based paint, which is thought to provide a euphoric high, is where the term "chroming" originates. The practice, reminiscent of the long-standing trend of huffing or sniffing, has claimed lives in the past, and tragically, Esra became its latest victim.
Esra's father, Paul Haynes, expressed his grief and determination to prevent others from suffering the same fate.
He emphasized the urgent need for preventive measures: "We want to help other children not fall into the silly trap of doing this silly thing. It's unquestionable that this will be our crusade."
The Haynes family is devoted to raising awareness about chroming and ensuring that no other family endures the heart-wrenching loss they have experienced.
Inhaling Paint Is Dangerous
In late March, Esra took part in a social media challenge that involved inhaling fumes from a deodorant can, triggering a cardiac arrest.
Despite being swiftly brought to the hospital, her brain sustained irreparable damage, leading her family to make the unimaginable decision to discontinue life support.
A recent report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has unveiled a disturbing trend among young people: an increasing number of individuals have admitted to experimenting with sniffing paint.
Of particular concern is the fact that a significant majority of those who continue to engage in this dangerous practice are under the age of 18.
Inhalant abuse, commonly referred to as "huffing," involves the deliberate inhalation of fumes from substances such as paint.
When paint is sniffed, the chemicals present in the fumes are rapidly absorbed through the lungs and into the bloodstream. Research says these chemicals swiftly cross the blood-brain barrier, affecting the brain and other organs throughout the body - leading to brain and muscle disorders.
Advocating for More Education Efforts
Following this incident, the Victoria Education Department in Australia has pledged to intensify efforts to educate children about the dangers of chroming and its potentially fatal effects.
Esra's parents also urge schools to incorporate CPR training into their curriculum, as prompt action during emergencies can be a matter of life and death.
The Haynes family is further advocating for the development of safer and less toxic deodorant formulas to mitigate the risks associated with chroming.
In light of their efforts, some retailers, including Woolworths and Coles, have taken immediate action by securing aerosol deodorants behind locked glass cases, restricting access to these potentially lethal substances.
Regrettably, this tragic incident is not an isolated case. Last month, we reported on the death of a 13-year-old boy in Ohio who fell victim to a viral TikTok challenge. This challenge involved ingesting excessive Benadryl pills to induce hallucinations, leading to severe health complications and hospitalizations among Australian teenagers.
Stay posted here at Tech Times.
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