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Hazards of Liquid Nitrogen

When chilled to at least -346 degrees Fahrenheit, liquid nitrogen resembles boiling water. Scientists, doctors and hobbyists use liquid nitrogen at various temperatures for immobilizing malignant cells, treating warts, cooling computer systems, cooking, even creating fast-frozen balloons for entertainment. Liquid nitrogen carries with it hazards related to its super-cold properties and its high content of potentially noxious gas.

  1. Asphyxiation

    • Liquid nitrogen in its boiling state produces colorless, odorless, flavorless nitrogen gas. Impossible to detect, this nitrogen when left uncontrolled from a spill, for example, can overtake the oxygen level in the air, causing asphyxiation and unconsciousness if inhaled. A poorly ventilated work area can also contribute to the asphyxiation risk.

    Frostbite and Burns

    • At temperatures below -100 degrees Fahrenheit, liquid nitrogen is cold enough to cause frostbite on unprotected skin. If the affected area is large enough, the victim could go into shock, according to Imperial College London. Liquid nitrogen can also produce severe burns to eyes. The risk to the eyes is particularly acute as the chemical is poured, increasing the possibility of a splash to the face.

    Explosion

    • Liquid nitrogen can explode if it vaporizes back into gas too quickly. In a New Zealand Medical Journal article, David McBride recounts the experience of a nurse whose thermos of liquid nitrogen fell to the floor. The nurse reported seeing a large explosion, "a flash of white light across the ceiling," and vapors filling the room. In an even more dramatic example of the chemical's volatile properties, a 24-year-old chef lost both hands to a liquid nitrogen explosion. Sky News reported in 2009 that the victim had been using the chemical as part of a recipe.

    Precautions

    • Handlers typically wear protective lab coats, gloves and goggles to mitigate the hazards of working with liquid nitrogen. A storage unit called a Dewar Flask is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, facilitate the safe release of nitrogen gas, and keep moisture from mixing with the chemical.

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