What is “chroming”?
November 15, 2024
“Chroming” is the new name for what has been known as “huffing” or “bagging” depending on the technique used. A TikTok challenge in 2023 brought the vernacular into the public awareness and has likely re-introduced inhalants as a method of inducing euphoria or drunken-like state. “Chroming” refers to the preference of metallic paints that have a “chrome”-like shine to them. Metallic paints, particularly gold and silver, have always been more popular due to these paints containing more of the inhalants. Toluene is probably the most well-known; however, there are many other hydrocarbons, particularly halogenated hydrocarbons, that are preferred for euphoria inducing properties.
Death from inhalant use may be from hypoxemia as inhaling high concentrations of the solvent, putting a bag over the head, etc can result in a low oxygen environment. Cardiac effects may also be lethal. Volatile anesthetics interact with repolarizing cardiac potassium channels and with sodium and calcium channels at higher concentrations. The downstream effects of this interaction results in dysrhythmogenesis which is potentiated by catecholamines. As a result, there is “myocardial sensitization” that may induce ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.1 Epinephrine may be harmful to the patient who has sustained cardiac arrest from inhalant use. 2
Regardless of the name, the resurgence of inhalant use can result in deaths.
References:
1. Himmel HM. Mechanisms involved in cardiac sensitization by volatile anesthetics: general applicability to halogenated hydrocarbons? Crit Rev Toxicol 2008;38:773-803.
2. Schultz, BV, et al. Epidemiology and survival outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest following volatile substance use in Queensland, Australia. Clin Toxicol 2023;61;649-55
Question prepared by: Saralyn R. Williams, MD, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Medicine, and Pediatrics