Liquid Nitrogen: Safety and Applications

The commissioner of food safety in Tamil Nadu has instructed officials to regulate the use of liquid nitrogen in food products and take action against violators of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

1. A video of a boy screaming in pain after consuming a ‘smoking’ biscuit that went viral has led to the Food Safety department issuing an order on the use of liquid nitrogen.

What is Liquid Nitrogen?

1. Properties:
   1. Liquid nitrogen is an inert, colorless, odorless, non-corrosive, non-flammable and extremely cold element.
   2. It is a cryogenic liquid with a boiling point of -320°F (-196°C).
   3. It can freeze and cool materials rapidly due to its extremely low temperatures.
2. Health Impacts:
   1. Contact with liquid nitrogen can cause injuries such as frostbite, a burning sensation on the organ or body part it touches.
   2. It can damage the lips, tongue, throat, lungs, and stomach, leading to lesions, burns.
   3. In the lungs, liquid nitrogen can produce CO2, causing unconsciousness.
3. Applications:
   1. Food Industry:
      1. Liquid nitrogen is used to rapidly freeze and cool foods.
      2. It is used in food production and industrial processes to rapidly cool materials.
   2. Wellness and Sports:
      1. Cryosaunas using liquid nitrogen vapor are used for cryotherapy in the wellness and sports industries.

What is Cryosurgery?

1. Cryosurgery is a medical procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy unwanted or diseased tissues.
2. It involves the application of a freezing agent, typically liquid nitrogen, to the target area.

How Does it Work?

1. Freezing: The freezing agent causes ice crystals to form within the cells of the targeted tissue.
2. Cell Damage: These ice crystals expand, damaging the cell membranes and internal structures.
3. Natural Removal: The body's immune system then works to clear away the destroyed tissue.

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