A 19-year-old Arizona girl tragically lost her life after attempting the deadly social media stunt known as the “dusting” challenge, prompting her grieving family to speak out in hopes of saving others. Renna O’Rourke passed away last Sunday following a week in the ICU after suffering cardiac arrest caused by inhaling compressed air from a can of keyboard cleaner—a trend commonly referred to as “dusting,” “huffing,” or “chroming.”
The challenge, which has spread on platforms like TikTok, involves inhaling aerosolized chemicals to induce brief euphoria. However, medical professionals warn it can quickly lead to oxygen deprivation, organ failure, and death. “She always said, ‘I’m gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch. I’m gonna be famous,’” her father, Aaron O’Rourke, told AZFamily. “Unfortunately, this is not under the most optimal of circumstances.”
In the aftermath of her death, Renna’s parents, Aaron and Dana O’Rourke, are sounding the alarm for other families. Dana emphasized how easily accessible and undetectable the substances can be. “There’s no ID required. It’s odorless. It’s everything kids look for,” she said. “They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn’t show in mom and dad’s drug test.”
Dana revealed to 12News that Renna and her boyfriend had ordered the keyboard cleaner using DoorDash, delivered straight to their home without her knowledge. “I didn’t know what they were doing with it,” Dana admitted.
The O’Rourkes say they want their daughter’s death to be a powerful message to others. “We want to make sure that we use our tragedy so that no other parent has to experience looking at their child on life support and a ventilator and not breathing on her own, all because she huffed out of a can,” Dana said.
Dr. Randy Weisman, a physician at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, explained the grave consequences of dusting. “When they inhale these chemicals, it replaces the oxygen in their lungs and in the rest of their body,” he told AZFamily. He noted that while the act may feel euphoric, it carries the risks of liver failure, heart failure, and long-term lung disease.
Despite the tragedy, Renna’s family found some comfort in knowing her donated organs helped save multiple lives. “Through that, we’re finding strength and purpose,” Dana said. “She will be unbelievably missed, leaving the most aching hole in our lives, but if her life is to mean anything, we are going to do what we can to prevent somebody else’s child from being where ours is right now.” A GoFundMe set up to cover medical and funeral expenses has raised over $10,000, more than doubling its initial goal.