Health Caution: Avoid Drinks that contain Liquid Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen, which has a boiling point of -196C, is mostly used as a coolant for computers, to remove unwanted skin, warts and pre-cancerous cells, and sometimes where scientists study the effect of very cold temperatures on materials.

It has also become increasingly common at top restaurants as a method for instantly freezing food and drinks, or creating an impressive cloud of vapour or fog when exposed to air.

Last Thursday, an 18-year-old Gabby Scanlan from Heysham, had her stomach removed after drinking a cocktail containing liquid nitrogen.


She began feeling breathless after consuming the drink during a night out with friends in Lancaster City Center. At Lancaster Royal Infirmary Hospital at about 11pm, medics diagnosed Gabby with a perforated stomach and were forced to perform emergency surgery to remove the body part.

As the girl remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition, investigation is ongoing, and the general public  are hereby warned at least for now to stop further consumption of the chemical until report of the investigation is released.