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Topics: News, World News, Drugs, Health
Kit Roberts
A doctor has explained what 'chroming' is following the death of an 11-year-old boy.
Tommie-lee Gracie Billington from Lancashire died after suffering from a suspected cardiac arrest on Saturday (March 2).
The 11-year-old had participated in 'chroming', a name given on social media to the practice of inhaling solvents, according to his family.
Tommie-lee's family paid tribute to him, saying that he had a 'heart of gold'.
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Last year, 13-year-old Esra Hynes from Australia also died after allegedly chroming.
While 'chroming' as a trend online is a new phenomenon, the practice itself is not.
Anthony Pizon MD specialises in toxicology, and explained what is dangerous about the practice.
He told UPMC: “This is a variation of an old theme of huffing all sorts of hydrocarbons.
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“People have been huffing metallic paints for a long, long time.
"This is really not new; maybe it’s just been rediscovered.”
Dr Pizon suggested that it is linked to the metallic paints which are commonly used in the practice.
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He said: “They’re trying to huff the hydrocarbons that are mixed in those metallic paints.
“And because they’re kind of metallic and shiny, they sort of have that chrome-like shiny appearance.”
Substances such as metallic paints contain a specific hydrocarbon which can have an intoxicating effect on the body.
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Dr Pizon explained: “Usually, the specific hydrocarbon that people are seeking in metallic paints is something called toluene."
He added: “Toluene is inebriating. It gives you kind of that drunken feeling. The harm can be depending on how they go about huffing it.”
Solvent abuse has been a popular form of trying to get high for a long time.
The materials required for it are easier to access than illicit substances, and can be passed off as for another purpose.
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Solvent abuse can have both short and long term effects on health.
Tragically, this can include being fatal.
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The short term effects of chroming include asphyxiation, cardiac arrest, choking, coma, convulsions or seizures, suffocation, or sustaining an injury while under the influence.
Dr Pizon said: “If you’re not careful, particularly when using a bag, you can eliminate oxygen and basically suffocate to death."
He added: “You’re really putting yourself at risk. It can have really devastating results.”
Dr Pizon on to suggest some of the ways that both parents and children can help to stop the practice.
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This includes ensuring that any solvents are stored safely or asking why a friend has a solvent.