Renna O’Rourke: Deadly social media trend ‘dusting’ claims life of teenage girl
An Arizona family is speaking out after their 19-year-old daughter died from a deadly online trend known as “dusting,” or “chroming,” where users inhale canned computer duster spray to get high.
Renna O’Rourke spent four days in the intensive care unit before being pronounced brain dead on June 1.
Her father, Aaron O’Rourke, confirmed the news through a GoFundMe page set up to cover funeral and medical costs.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.In an emotional interview with AZ Family, Mr O’Rourke and his wife, Dana, described their daughter as a vibrant young woman who always dreamed of being famous.
“She always said, ‘I’m gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch’,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“Unfortunately, this is not under the most optimal of circumstances.”
The viral inhalant trend that is popular among teens for being inexpensive, accessible, and odourless has been linked to a condition called sudden sniffing death syndrome, which was cited as Ms O’Rourke’s cause of death.
Her mother told reporters, “There’s no ID required. It’s everything kids look for. They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn’t show in mom and dad’s drug test.”
“She never regained consciousness,” Mrs O’Rourke added.
“We don’t have children to bury them.”
Dr. Randy Weisman, who heads the ICU at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Centre, explained how quickly inhalants can become lethal.
“When they inhale these chemicals in the gas, it will actually replace the oxygen within their lungs and within the rest of their body,” he said, warning of potential liver failure, lung disease, and cardiac arrest.
Despite the devastating loss, Ms O’Rourke’s parents hope their tragedy can help others.
Mr O’Rourke has pledged to use part of the GoFundMe proceeds to raise awareness about dusting and the dangers of inhaling cleaning products.
Mrs O’Rourke issued a plea to parents: “Don’t take your kids’ word for it. Dig deep. Search their rooms. Don’t trust, and that sounds horrible, but it could save their life.”
