Dangers of chroming explained as boy dies ‘immediately’ after doing trend
The dangers of chroming have been explained after an 11-year-old boy was found unresponsive at a friend's house in Lancaster.
Tommie-Lee Billington sadly passed away after taking part in the dangerous social media challenge on Saturday (2 March).
His family have urged parents to learn of the dangers of chroming, also known as huffing or sniffing, with many unaware of the dangerous trend.
What is chroming?
Chroming involves the inhaling of toxic chemicals such as paint, solvent, aerosol cans, cleaning products or petrol.
This affects the central nervous system and results in a brief 'high' as the brain slows down.
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The so-called trend has allegedly been going round on social media - but it can have fatal consequences.
Tommie-Lee's gran, Tina Burns, said her grandson 'died instantly' after he allegedly took part in the challenge.
"Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then," she said.
"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."
What are the dangers of chroming?
Of course the biggest danger of chroming is death.
The trend can lead to side effects such as slurred speech, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting and disorientation.
In more severe cases, chroming can also cause heart attack, seizures and suffocation as well as permanent damage to the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
According to Dr. Anthony F. Pizon, Chief of Medical Toxicology of UPMC, death can be caused through:
Asphyxiation
Cardiac arrest
Choking
Coma
Convulsions or seizures
Fatal injury
Suffocation
What is being done?
Tommie-Lee's mum, Sherri, wrote on Facebook: "As much as I hate talking about it, I need to raise awareness of what kids are trying nowadays. This cost my son his life from trying something other kids are doing.
"Please talk to your children about the consequences of this. It is beyond me why anyone would even try this! It’s so dangerous!"
Lancashire Police said an investigation has been launched into Tommie-Lee's death.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "We were called by the ambulance service at 12:04pm on Saturday March 2 to an address on Greenset Close, Lancaster, to a report of a sudden death.
“Emergency services attended an address and found an 11-year-old boy unresponsive. Sadly he was later pronounced dead. The death is currently being treated as unexplained and the coroner has been informed.
"A police investigation is ongoing and the boy's family are being supported by officers. Our thoughts are with the boy’s loved ones at this incredibly sad time. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact police."
TikTok has denied any affiliation with the social media trend.
Anish Vij