Everything about Ebullism totally explained
Ebullism is the formation of
gas bubbles in
bodily fluids due to reduced environmental pressure, for example at high
altitude. It occurs because liquids boil at a lower temperature when the pressure on them is reduced.
In the atmospheric pressure present at
sea level (760 mm of mercury), water boils at 100°C (212°F). At an altitude of 61,000 feet (47 mm pressure) it boils at only 36.7°C (98°F). This is the normal
body temperature of humans, but in practice bodily fluids don't boil off at this altitude. This is because the skin and outer organs have enough strength to withstand this pressure, thus pressure inside the body would be significantly higher -- however, bubbles starting to form is still an issue.
Symptoms of ebullism include bubbles in the membranes of the mouth and eyes, swelling of the
skin, and bubbles in the blood. Blood circulation and breathing may be impaired or stopped. The
brain tissue may be
starved of
oxygen because of blockage of
arteries, and the
lungs may swell and
hemorrhage. Death results unless recompression is rapid enough to reduce the bubbles before tissue damage occurs.
To prevent ebullism, pilots and
astronauts live in pressurized cabins or wear pressurized suits (such as
space suits).
Further Information
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