Dry ice bomb

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A disposable water bottle with dry ice inside a watermelon
Dry ice bomb exploding in water. Dry Ice Bomb.jpg
Dry ice bomb exploding in water.

A dry ice bomb is a simple explosive device consisting of dry ice and water in a sealed container.

Contents

Overview

Dry ice bombs are commonly made from simple materials such as a plastic bottle, water, and dry ice. The bottle is partly filled with water and pieces of dry ice are added with the container being closed tightly soon after. As the solid carbon dioxide warms, it sublimates to gas and the pressure in the bottle increases. Bombs typically rupture within 30 seconds to half an hour, dependent largely on the temperature of the air outside the bottle. [1] A dry ice bomb may develop frost on its exterior prior to exploding. [1]

Dangers

Dry ice bombs can explode within seconds due to the rapid sublimation of dry ice, injuring the handler. The abrupt release of high-pressure gas creates a loud noise, which can cause hearing damage even at substantial distances. Fragments thrown at high speeds can cut or puncture. Bombs that fail to go off cannot be safely approached, as they can spontaneously explode.

Dry ice bombs can also be unintentionally made, especially if dry ice is left in an airtight container for extended periods of time. [2]

Injuries caused by dry ice bombs are common, with glass bottles in particular posing risks of serious injury or death. [3] [4] [5] [6] In one case, the explosive release of carbon dioxide gas ruptured the esophagus of a child, requiring emergency surgery. [7]

Legality

Dry ice bombs are illegal in many jurisdictions. [8] [9] In the United States, manufacturing one or using one can lead to imprisonment, even if no one was injured. [10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Jill Meryl Levy (2006). The First Responder's Field Guide to Hazmat and Terrorism Emergency Response. Firebelle Productions. pp. 8–10. ISBN   9780965151696.
  2. Sharp, S; Cummins, D; Halloran, S; Donaldson, M; Turnbull, L (17 February 2001). "Explosions may occur if dry ice is placed in airtight transport containers". BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.). 322 (7283): 434. PMC   1119651 . PMID   11179178.
  3. "Boy, 7, receives facial wounds after 'dry-ice bomb' explosion". Press-Telegram. Long Beach. 10 August 1994.
  4. "Dry ice bomb severely hurts 12-year-old boy". Press-Telegram. Long Beach. 28 May 1995.
  5. Gorrin, Neal R.; Moore, Thomas C.; Asch, Morris J. (March 1990). "Glass shrapnel injuries to children resulting from "dry ice bomb" explosions: A report of three cases". Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 25 (3): 296. doi:10.1016/0022-3468(90)90069-l. PMID   2313496.
  6. Langford, Nigel J. (1 December 2005). "Carbon Dioxide Poisoning". Toxicological Reviews. 24 (4): 229–235. doi:10.2165/00139709-200524040-00003. PMID   16499405. S2CID   22508841.
  7. Pieretti, Rafael V.; Vivas, Pedro (October 1, 1992). "Esophageal injury from a plastic bottle containing dry ice" . Pediatric Surgery International. 7 (6): 459–460. doi:10.1007/BF00178829 via Springer Link.
  8. "Charlotte: Search Results". 2006-10-24.
  9. "> News > North County — Neighbors' long quarrel erupted". SignOnSanDiego.com. 2002-09-05. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  10. "Dry-ice bomb prank ends in jail". The Press . May 2, 2008. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  11. although dry-ice bombs rely upon the principle of phase-change, not chemical reaction
  12. "CA Codes (pen:12301-12316)". Leginfo.ca.gov. Archived from the original on 2009-05-13. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  13. "State of Nebraska" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  14. "13-3102 – Misconduct involving weapons". Azleg.state.az.us. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  15. "13-3101 – Definitions". Azleg.state.az.us. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  16. "Bomb squad demonstrates dangers of homemade explosives", KSL.com.
  17. "Don't Put Dry Ice in a Coke Bottle!! TKOR Breaks Down Everything You Need for Dry Ice Bombs". YouTube . 13 June 2017.