Why Does Liquid Nitrogen Pose a Serious Health Risk?

In 1999, a lab worker known as James Graham succumbed from asphyxiation (the state of oxygen deprivation) after inhaling liquid nitrogen.

A few years ago, a British teenager underwent an emergency gastrectomy- a surgical procedure that involves the removal of part of the stomach after drinking a cocktail containing liquid nitrogen. A more recent tragedy involved the death of Sgt.Greg Meagher, a Sherriff’s deputy in Augusta, Georgia, who apparently inhaled liquid nitrogen while trying to save an employee inside a sperm bank (there was a leak in the sperm bank).

Several more officers who injured in the tragedy were treated for shortness of breath and later released. All these tragedies show that liquid nitrogen really is a serious health hazard.

But how is liquid nitrogen so deadly, given the fact that of all the Earth’s atmospheric gases, about 78 percent is nitrogen.

The Danger Lies in its Rapid Transformation to Gas

Nitrogen is basically a gas at room temperature. It transforms into a liquid state at -196 degrees Celsius (-321 Degrees Fahrenheit).

The danger lies in its rapid transformation into gas (once it’s exposed to ambient temperatures) which causes a number of health complications such as asphyxiation.

What’s even worse is that if a spill occurs in a confined space and the liquid transforms to gas, it occupies about 700 times the volume of the liquid. The leak in the sperm bank must have caused him to suffocate as upon expanding, it typically displaces the oxygen in the room.

Liquid Nitrogen also poses a health risk as in its liquid state, it becomes intensely cold such that it can cause frostbite or severe cryogenic burns if not handled and used properly.

Can Liquid Nitrogen be Ingested?

Some restaurants have for years been using liquid nitrogen to instantly freeze food and drinks such as ice-cream mixtures, preserve raw eggs, including others. Liquid nitrogen is also used in cooking, although some strict measures have to be taken.

According to Professor Barham, the liquid must be evaporated before any food or drink that has been prepared with the nitrogen is ingested.

The liquid itself should not be ingested because due to its intense temperatures, it can freeze and cause severe damage to your mouth, stomach, and esophagus.

The liquid is also popularly used to chill cocktail glasses so they can appear smoky when a drink is added. A small amount of the liquid added to a drink may also cause it to emit some smoky vapor.

When used in cocktails, the liquid vaporizes before the drink is consumed.

As fun as it sounds however, it should only be done by a highly trained professional as a simple mistake could even lead to death- like in the case of the teenager who had part of his stomach removed after consuming a cocktail containing liquid nitrogen.

It’s clear to see that mishandling liquid nitrogen can present a number of health hazards. Various guidelines for handling liquid nitrogen are in place and must be strictly followed.