Exploding balloons - Photo: Tra Vinh Police
According to the school's records, students bought 11 packages of "explosive balls" to bring into the classroom to play. The children use their hands to hit the ball hard, causing the toy package to expand and explode. The surrounding children who inhaled the gas released from the balloon package showed signs of breathing gas poisoning.
Technically, the "explosive balloon" package contains two substances: sodium bicarbonate salt (NaHCO3) and a liquid packet contained in a sealed plastic bag is an acid called citric acid (C6H8O7). Sodium bicarbonate salt that comes into contact with an acid such as citric acid will cause a very violent reaction that produces large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO).2), new salt and water.
When playing, children will use their hands or feet to hit or stomp on the "explosive ball" toy package. The plastic package containing citric acid will burst, react with sodium bicarbonate to create a large amount of CO gas.2, the volume of the gas toy package suddenly increased to about 4 times its original volume and the package burst creating a loud explosion.
There are two reasons why children get poisoned when playing "explosive balls", sometimes life-threatening.
First, carbon dioxide poisoning, also known as carbon monoxide. Carbon dioxide has four effects on the body: headache due to increased carbon dioxide in the blood causing constriction of cerebral blood vessels. Constriction of cerebral blood vessels reduces blood flow to the brain, leading to lack of oxygen and causing headaches; vomiting; shortness of breath.
When the concentration of CO2 Increasing it further leads to coughing, sneezing, runny nose and difficulty breathing which can be life-threatening...
The second is dermatitis and eye inflammation caused by citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. The remaining chemicals above will directly splash into people and can cause irritation to the skin and eye mucous membranes.
Skin symptoms include itching, burning, and redness. On the eyes, it can lead to eye damage such as tearing, keratitis, and conjunctivitis.
