Dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide, is used for many purposes from keeping food cold during transport to creating fog effects at concerts. But while ingesting normal ice is harmless, what happens if someone tries to eat or drink dry ice? Can it be drunk or is it dangerous?
Dry ice is extremely cold, typically around -78°C/-109°F. This makes it harmful if consumed directly. The extreme cold can cause burns and tissue damage. However, small amounts like a cube in a drink will simply turn into gas.
So while dry ice can technically be “drunk”, it should never be ingested in large quantities. Consuming many pieces or chunks of dry ice can potentially lead to choking, suffocation, or damage to the digestive tract. Let’s explore this issue further.
What Is Dry Ice?
Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2). At room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure, carbon dioxide exists as a gas. But when pressurized and cooled, CO2 transitions directly from a gas to a solid, skipping the liquid phase.
The name “dry ice” refers to the fact that it does not melt into a liquid and is extremely cold and dry to the touch. It’s produced by compressing and refrigerating gaseous CO2.
Dry ice is typically used for:
– Keeping foods and medicines cold during shipping and storage
– Special effects like fog machines due to the dense CO2 vapor produced as it sublimates
– Dry ice blasting for cleaning and removing residues from surfaces
– Preserving samples in laboratories at low temperatures
Properties of Dry Ice
Here are some key properties of dry ice that are relevant to consumption:
– Temperature: -78°C/-109°F, much colder than regular ice
– Density: 1.6 g/cm3, denser than typical ice
– Sublimation: Converts from solid to gas without melting
– Temporary: Disappears over time as the CO2 gas dissipates
The extremely cold temperature and tendency to sublimate make dry ice potentially hazardous to ingest. Let’s analyze in more detail what happens when someone tries to eat or drink dry ice.
Is Dry Ice Safe to Eat or Drink?
Dry ice should never be ingested in large quantities, either eaten directly or added to drinks. The extremely cold temperature can severely damage body tissues.
However, a small amount like a cube added to a drink is generally not dangerous. Here’s a breakdown of the risks and effects:
Eating Dry Ice
Eating chunks or pieces of dry ice is very hazardous and can cause:
– Cryogenic burns: The -109°F temperature instantly freezes and damages tissues in the mouth and throat. This causes immense pain and can lead to blistering or peeling skin.
– Asphyxiation: Dry ice quickly turns from a solid to an expanding gas when sublimated. Consuming large amounts can rupture the stomach or block airways.
– Frostbite: Contact with dry ice can damage and kill surface cells of skin and tissues. This can lead to injury and loss of sensation.
Eating dry ice pranks trending on social media are extremely foolish and can cause lasting harm or even death.
Drinking Dry Ice
Putting a small cube or piece of dry ice in drinks is less dangerous but still comes with risks:
– Contact burns: If the dry ice cube directly touches the mouth, it can cause frostbite-like burns and pain.
– Choking hazard: As the dry ice sublimates into CO2 gas, it can expand rapidly and create excessive fizz, potentially inducing coughing or gagging.
– Toxic gas ingestion: Large amounts of dry ice release high concentrations of CO2 gas. Inhaling this can cause headache, dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath.
– Carbonation irritation: Dry ice adds a large amount of bubbly carbonation to drinks very quickly. This can overwhelm the stomach and esophagus, causing discomfort.
So while a small cube in a drink may seem fun, it’s best to avoid ingesting dry ice altogether. The risks outweigh any novelty value.
Is Dry Ice Toxic?
Dry ice itself is non-toxic – it converts to ordinary carbon dioxide gas upon sublimation. The risks come from asphyxiation if large volumes are consumed and the extremely cold temperatures.
Carbon dioxide gas is also non-toxic in regular concentrations but can cause suffocation in high enough amounts. The carbonation and gas produced when adding dry ice to drinks comes from the CO2 it releases.
So dry ice is not poisonous or directly toxic itself, but still dangerous due to its physical properties when ingested. It should always be handled with care to avoid direct skin contact or inhalation of large quantities of CO2 gas.
Case Studies of Dry Ice Ingestion
There have been a number of documented cases of injuries and fatalities caused by consuming dry ice:
Teen Hospitalized After Eating Dry Ice
In 2021, a 14-year old boy in Florida ate a piece of dry ice as part of a dangerous TikTok challenge. He was rushed to the emergency room after vomiting and experiencing breathing difficulties. Doctors treated him for gas inhalation and internal injuries. He recovered after several days in the hospital.
YouTuber Hospitalized for Dry Ice Stunt
In 2018, popular YouTuber Michael Barney suffered serious injuries after eating a teaspoon of dry ice for a video. He swallowed the dry ice but immediately felt burning pain. After seeking medical treatment, he was placed in a medically-induced coma for several days to recover from the cryogenic damage.
Man Dies After Dry Ice Consumption
In 1994, a man died after ingesting dry ice. He consumed large amounts of dry ice in drinks at a company party. The expanding gas ruptured his stomach, and he died of internal bleeding and asphyxiation. Autopsy results showed dry ice still present in his stomach.
These examples clearly illustrate the potential harm that can result from consuming dry ice, even in small amounts. While it may seem like a novelty, eating or drinking dry ice should be avoided.
Safety Tips for Handling Dry Ice
If you’re using dry ice for legitimate purposes, keep these safety practices in mind:
– Wear insulated gloves – never touch dry ice with bare hands
– Don’t store dry ice in sealed containers – escaping gas needs to vent
– Use in well-ventilated areas to prevent CO2 buildup
– Avoid breathing the vapors released as dry ice sublimates
– Keep away from children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion
– Dispose of dry ice properly and allow it to fully dissipate before recycling containers
By handling dry ice responsibly, the risks can be minimized. But again, never intentionally eat or directly ingest dry ice. The consequences can be severe.
Conclusion
While dry ice can technically be “drunk” by adding it to beverages, doing so comes with substantial risks and should be avoided. Consuming dry ice can cause frostbite, choking hazards, and internal organ damage.
A small amount added to drinks may seem harmless, but even cube-sized pieces can lead to injuries through freezing or irritating tissue. Ingesting large quantities of dry ice can potentially be fatal.
So while an interesting novelty, drinking dry ice is an extremely foolish and hazardous idea. Handling it properly by avoiding direct contact and inhalation is crucial for safety. Given the severe risks involved, responsible use of dry ice should only be for legitimate purposes like shipping cold items or special effects.