Drinking liquid oxygen is extremely dangerous and causes severe internal damage. Its unique physical and chemical properties make ingestion a life-threatening event that should never be attempted.
Understanding Liquid Oxygen
Liquid oxygen (LOX) is oxygen in its liquid state, appearing as a clear, pale blue fluid. It is a cryogenic liquid, existing at extremely low temperatures, with a boiling point of approximately -183°C (-297°F). This cryogenic nature requires specialized equipment, such as vacuum-insulated containers, for handling and storage to prevent rapid evaporation.
LOX is significantly denser than its gaseous form, allowing for efficient storage and transportation of large volumes. While gaseous oxygen is essential for life, liquid oxygen is primarily used in industrial and scientific applications. Common uses include serving as an oxidizer in rocket propellants, in metal cutting and welding, and in various industrial processes to enhance combustion. In medical settings, it is converted into a gas for oxygen therapy.
Why Ingesting Liquid Oxygen Is Dangerous
Ingesting liquid oxygen poses immediate and severe hazards due to its extremely low temperature. Upon contact with body tissues, its cryogenic temperature causes instantaneous and severe frostbite, freezing and destroying cells in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. This rapid freezing is akin to a severe burn, causing extensive tissue damage.
Beyond the immediate freezing effect, liquid oxygen undergoes massive expansion when it warms and vaporizes into gaseous oxygen. One volume can expand to approximately 861 times its volume as a gas. If ingested, this rapid phase change within the digestive tract leads to extreme pressure buildup. This immense internal pressure can rupture internal organs, including the stomach and esophagus, releasing gas into the chest cavity and potentially leading to lung collapse.
Health Consequences of Exposure
Contact with liquid oxygen or its extremely cold vapors leads to severe frostbite, also known as cryogenic burns. These injuries damage tissues similarly to thermal burns. Affected skin may appear waxy and yellow, becoming painful and swollen upon thawing, and is highly susceptible to infection. In severe cases, these injuries can necessitate surgery or amputation.
Internal injuries from ingesting liquid oxygen are catastrophic. The rapid expansion into gas within the body can rupture internal tissues, leading to perforations of the stomach or esophagus. This internal pressure can force gas into areas where it does not belong, such as the chest cavity, potentially causing organ damage or collapse.