The short answer is no, you should not drink lava lamp liquid. Lava lamps contain chemicals that can be dangerous if swallowed.
What is in lava lamp liquid?
Lava lamps contain the following main ingredients:
- Water – The main component of lava lamp liquid is water, making up over 50% of the total mixture.
- Mineral oil – Typically 40-50% of the lava lamp liquid is mineral oil, which gives the lava its oily, lava-like texture.
- Wax – There are small amounts of wax in lava lamp liquid, usually under 5% of the total. The wax helps the globs of “lava” to form.
- Surfactant – A small amount of surfactant is added to the lava lamp liquid to help evenly disperse the wax throughout the oil/water mixture.
- Colored dye – This is added for the decorative color of the lava lamp liquid and globs.
So in summary, the main components are water, oil, and wax, plus small amounts of surfactants and dyes.
Why you should not drink lava lamp liquid
There are several reasons it is dangerous and inadvisable to drink the liquid from a lava lamp:
- Mineral oil – Drinking even small amounts of mineral oil can lead to diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. In larger quantities it is dangerous and can cause serious health effects.
- Surfactants – Surfactants are added to help blend the oil and water. Ingesting surfactants can irritate the digestive tract.
- Wax – The wax used in lava lamps should not be consumed orally. It is meant for external decorative use only.
- Dyes – The dyes used are also not meant to be ingested and could potentially be toxic if swallowed.
- Choking hazard – Drinking the thick, oily lava liquid also poses a risk of choking if attempting to swallow it.
Overall, the oil, wax, surfactants, and dyes used in lava lamps are just not intended for human consumption. They could potentially make you very sick if swallowed, especially in large quantities. At minimum you would likely experience unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects.
What if someone drinks lava lamp liquid?
If someone accidentally swallows lava lamp liquid, here are some recommendations:
- Do not induce vomiting – This could cause further damage and the wax could solidify in the throat.
- Drink water – Give them plenty of water to help dilute the liquid.
- Call poison control – Contact poison control or emergency medical services for advice.
- Seek medical care – Go to the emergency room or doctor’s office, especially if experiencing any concerning symptoms.
Symptoms to watch out for after ingesting lava lamp liquid include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Cramping, abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Coughing, choking sensation
- Irritation of the mouth or throat
- Dizziness, headache
With prompt medical care, most people fully recover after accidentally ingesting small amounts of lava lamp liquid. But serious health impacts are possible if a large quantity is swallowed. Quick action is important.
Health effects from individual ingredients
Here is more detail on potential health impacts of ingesting the main ingredients in lava lamps:
Mineral oil
- Diarrhea, greasy stools
- Nausea, vomiting, cramps
- Aspiration into lungs
- Mineral oil pneumonia
- Lipoid pneumonia
Surfactants
- Irritation of mouth, esophagus, stomach
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Wax
- Intestinal obstruction
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Failure to pass wax in feces
Dyes
- Allergic reactions
- Hypersensitivity
- Potential toxicity if swallowed
So in summary, intestinal and respiratory issues are the main risks from the ingredients in lava lamps. Serious outcomes are possible if large amounts are consumed.
How much lava lamp liquid would be dangerous?
There is no established toxic dose for lava lamp fluid since it is not meant to be ingested. But as a rough guideline:
- Less than 1 oz (30 mL) – May cause minor irritation or upset stomach.
- 1-4 oz (30-120 mL) – Likely to cause gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, cramping, diarrhea. Would warrant medical evaluation.
- Over 4 oz (120 mL) – Potential for more serious toxicity, mineral oil pneumonia, or obstruction from wax. Emergency medical treatment needed.
Ultimately, it’s impossible to give a definitive dangerous or lethal amount of lava lamp liquid since toxicity depends on the specific ingredients and individual response. But ingesting over 4 ounces poses a significant risk of serious health impacts and requires prompt medical care.
Case reports of lava lamp ingestion
There are a few case reports in the medical literature of accidental lava lamp liquid ingestion. This can provide some insight into potential health impacts:
Case 1
- 19 month old boy
- Drank ~1 ounce of lava lamp liquid
- Given ipecac to induce vomiting
- Symptoms: diarrhea, low grade fever, decreased appetite for 3 days
- Recovered fully with no reported complications
Case 2
- 7 year old girl
- Drank ~4-6 ounces of lava lamp liquid
- Vomited several times shortly after ingestion
- Symptoms: abdominal pain, dysphagia, orange staining of mouth and lips
- Evaluated in emergency department and released after several hours
- Recovered fully within 2 days
So in these cases of young children ingesting up to ~6 ounces of lava lamp liquid, they recovered fully with supportive care. However, larger amounts could cause more serious toxicity.
Protection tips for lava lamps
Here are some recommendations for using and storing lava lamps more safely:
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Always use lava lamps with adequate supervision.
- Store lava lamps securely on a stable surface.
- Consider using a protective cover or installing a child safety lock.
- Follow age recommendations and warnings on lava lamp packaging.
- Teach children and others not to drink the lava lamp liquid if accidentally exposed.
- Avoid situations where the lamp could be tipped over or broken.
- Be prepared to call emergency services in case of accidental ingestion.
Proper precautions can help prevent any major safety incidents with lava lamps when used appropriately for their intended purpose.
Conclusion
In summary, drinking lava lamp liquid can be dangerous due to the presence of oil, surfactants, wax, and dyes. It should always be kept out of reach of children and pets. While small ingestions may only cause temporary irritation, larger amounts can provoke serious health impacts. Prompt medical treatment is advised in cases of accidental swallowing. With proper precautions, lava lamps can be used safely for their unique decorative effects.