You cannot safely drink water that contains solid dry ice. While dry ice is often used to create dramatic fog effects in beverages, directly ingesting the solid material is extremely dangerous and can cause severe, immediate injury. It is imperative that the solid pieces of dry ice are never swallowed, as the substance poses a significant risk to the entire gastrointestinal tract. This hazard is due to the unique physical properties of dry ice and how it reacts when contacting the body’s internal environment. The risk is limited to the solid form, but the consequences are serious.
The Nature of Dry Ice
Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2). Unlike water ice, which melts into a liquid, dry ice undergoes sublimation at standard atmospheric pressure. Sublimation is the direct transition from a solid state to a gaseous state, bypassing the liquid phase entirely. The sublimation point of dry ice is extremely cold, maintaining a temperature of approximately -109.3°F (-78.5°C). This intense cold makes dry ice an effective cooling agent, as it absorbs heat from its surroundings as it changes into gas. The visible “fog” that streams from dry ice is not the invisible CO2 gas itself, but rather condensed water vapor chilled by the sublimating gas.
Immediate Hazards of Ingesting Solid Dry Ice
The primary dangers of swallowing solid dry ice are twofold: severe cryogenic tissue damage and rapid internal pressure buildup. Both hazards can cause immediate, life-threatening injuries.
The extreme temperature will cause instant and severe frostbite, or cryogenic burns, upon contact with soft tissues. This damage affects the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach lining, essentially freezing the tissue. This kind of burn can lead to necrosis, the death of tissue, and can result in internal bleeding and long-term damage to the digestive tract.
The second major hazard stems from the rapid sublimation of the solid carbon dioxide inside the body. When dry ice reaches the warm environment of the stomach, it vaporizes instantly, converting into a large volume of CO2 gas. One pound of dry ice produces approximately 800 times its volume in gas, and even a small piece can rapidly create a dangerous amount of internal pressure. This sudden pressure increase can cause severe bloating, intense pain, and vomiting. In extreme cases, the rapid expansion of gas can lead to internal rupture or perforation of the stomach or esophagus, requiring immediate attention.
Using Dry Ice Safely in Beverages
The beverage itself is safe to drink once the dry ice has completely sublimated. The key to safe use is ensuring that no solid piece can be accidentally ingested, requiring specific procedures designed to isolate the material or allow it to fully disappear.
Safe methods for using dry ice in drinks include:
- Only serving the drink after the dry ice has completely turned to gas, which is evident when the fog effect and bubbling have entirely stopped.
- Using the dry ice in a large punch bowl where it is unlikely to be scooped into individual servings.
- Keeping the dry ice in large chunks that sink to the bottom and are easily visible, rather than small pellets that might be mistaken for regular ice.
- Using specialized cocktail accessories, such as stirrers with cages or enclosed chambers, designed to hold the dry ice piece, preventing it from floating or being swallowed while still allowing the fog effect.
When handling dry ice for any purpose, insulated gloves or tongs must always be used to protect the skin from cryogenic burns. The focus of safe practice remains on ensuring that the solid form of carbon dioxide is contained or fully sublimated before consumption.