Why in News
The Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department has issued a circular on the use of liquid nitrogen saying the substance can only be used to preserve packaged food
Liquid Nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen—LN2—is nitrogen in a liquid state at low temperature.
Liquid nitrogen has a boiling point of about −196 °C (−321 °F; 77 K).
It is produced industrially by fractional distillation of liquid air.
It is a colorless, mobile liquid whose viscosity is about one tenth that of acetone (i.e. roughly one thirtieth that of room temperature water)
Safe Uses of Liquid Nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen, an inert, colourless, odourless cryogenic fluid has traditionally been used in the management of many benign pre-cancers and cancers since the 1960s
This form of treatment is generally used to manage cancers wherein conventional surgery is not possible or can be used as an adjunct to conventional surgery.
The procedure involves using the element at a frosty -196 degrees C to freeze and destroy cancer cells.
The treatment is scientifically described as cryotherapy.
It can also be used to obtain biopsies from cancer tissues for further molecular analysis.
Another application is to use it as cryo-adhesion to remove foreign bodies
Cryotherapy has been attempted to treat many cancers, including those of skin, bone, breast, cervical, eye, kidney, liver, lung, and prostate
Later introduced in system to improve the quality and shelf life of food by introducing droplets of liquid nitrogen in the packaging
When nitrogen evaporates, it displaces oxygen in the food pack, preventing microbial action and preserving freshness.
The technique was useful in packing coffee, potato crisps, peanuts and peanut butter, milk products, cheese, and dried potatoes
Liquid nitrogen is widely used as a coolant
Caution
Liquid nitrogen should be handled by trained professionals with proper protective gear, preferably in a controlled lab or industry, as improper handling or consumption of liquid nitrogen can cause severe damage to the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs
Caution
Liquid nitrogen can scorch the organ or part of the body it contacts, making it appear like frost bites.
It can damage the lips, tongue, throat, lungs, and stomach.
It may cause lesions or burn tissues.
If it reaches the stomach, the organ could get perforated.
In the lungs, it could produce CO2 and the person could become unconscious.
COMMENTS