What happens when drinking heavy water?

The elements are determined by the number of protons in the nucleus, for example, the number of protons of hydrogen, helium and uranium is 1, 2, and 92. Many elements have several versions with different number of neutrons, called isotopes. In the 1920s, Ernest Rutherford stated that Hydro’s heavier isotope hypotheses could exist, which is the hydrogen atom with a constant number of protons but there is an additional neutron. Shortly thereafter, physicist Harold C. Urey could prove its existence and win the Nobel Prize.

In 1931, Ureay developed a method to focus any heavy hydrogen isotopes by distilling liquid hydrogen segment. This leads to Deuterium invention. Together with Dr. EW Washburn, he improved the electrolyte method to separate hydrogen isotopes and proceed to thoroughly understand their characteristics, especially the vapor pressure of hydrogen and deuterium, as well as the equilibrium constant of the reaction. Water (H20) is an inorganic compound of two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom. But Urey proves that the Deuterium can be linked to oxygen to create “heavy water” (D2O).

In fact, heavy water is discovered in harmony with natural water, accounting for about 0.015%, can be separated through electrolysis. Although similar to normal water, heavy water has many useful characteristics, can be applied in the nuclear reactor. If you use graphite or heavy water to regulate, you can run a nuclear reactor with natural uranium instead of getting rich, according to the World Nuclear Association. In the case of regulating substances, the water is like in a lightweight water reactor, the water absorbs neutrons as well as causing them to move slowly, thus less efficient than heavy water or graphite.

To find out how heavy water tastes, in the early 20th century, Klaus Hansen pharmacist at Oslo University, becoming the first person to drink heavy water with high concentrations. In front of a group of colleagues ready to give first aid if needed, take a sip of liquid. “I put the cup on my lips. I immediately felt a burning dryness in my mouth and then I could not feel anything. I told myself that it was simply a small experience and I could see, listen, breathe, feel and travel normally as before,” Hansen said. Hansen assumes a high level of heavy water can be dangerous to humans and animals. Although he did not know exactly the dose. Within the next few weeks, he gradually increased the dose from low to the final level of 100 grams.

Hansen survived the test. Describing the feeling of “burning hot” when drinking heavy water of Hansen is curious for Urey, urging him to organize a taste inspection. “One of us suck the object in the mouth for a short time to taste its taste, then spit out. Others repeat the process but swallow the water. None of us can detect the smallest difference between the taste of the water often distilled and heavy water.

Heavy water can be absorbed into the body safely at low doses, often used in scientific research on the human body. Studies over the past 30 years have not shown any negative consequences when consuming Deuterium. However, when about 20% of water in the mammal body is heavy water, toxic effects are likely to appear and 35% can be deadly.