The Effects of Ground Glass

Manufacturers create glass by heating silica, lime and soda to a high temperature, causing it to become molten liquid. When cooled, glass remains an amorphous solid, which is neither truly a solid or liquid. It has long been believed fatal to swallow ground glass, and literature and popular culture has sustained that belief. However, swallowing ground glass is not as dangerous as you might think.

Little or No Effects

• Swallowing ground glass most likely will have few ill effects. The human digestive tract is flexible and strong, and it can deal with hard substances like plastic, metal or glass. Human mouths are sensitive to grit, and ground glass would be detected immediately.

Mouth Lacerations

• Swallowing or putting very coarse ground glass, like shards, in the mouth may cause lacerations. Generally you can administer first aid at home. Give the patient a Popsicle, keep the mouth clean and apply pressure to the wounds. Call a doctor if the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes, if the glass is embedded in the mouth, or if the cuts are larger than 1/2 inch.

Internal Bleeding

• Black stool is a sign of blood, and swallowing ground glass, in rare instances, may cause internal bleeding. If the shards of glass are large enough, it may cut the esophagus, stomach or intestinal tract. Usually the cuts would be minor, but if you have bloody or black stools, you will need to seek medical attention. An X-ray would be taken, and you may develop anemia. However, cuts from swallowing ground glass would not be considered life threatening.