What severe internal complication can result from the rapid oxygen release caused by ingesting 3% hydrogen peroxide?
Answer
Gas embolisms that can be fatal
Ingesting hydrogen peroxide, even the common 3% solution used externally, poses an extreme danger because of how it decomposes internally. Once swallowed, the chemical rapidly breaks down inside the closed environment of the digestive tract, releasing a large volume of oxygen gas very quickly. This rapid internal gas generation leads to severe gastric distension and intense irritation of the esophageal and stomach linings. Critically, the rapid influx of gas can force bubbles into the bloodstream, creating potentially fatal gas embolisms which block blood flow to vital organs.
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