Dangers Of Steam

Steam can cause a number of minor or severe injuries, or even death.

Typical boilers in steam-generating plants can produce steam pressures of 2,400 pounds per square inch (PSI). "Supercritical" steam plants can generate even higher pressures, some reaching over 4,000 psi. Relief valves and seams must contain the trapped pressure. A household pressure cooker can reach temperatures of 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Trapped steam can escape and cause a variety of serious injuries, or even death.

Embolism

Upon the release of a high-pressure steam jet in proximity to a human, the jet of superheated gas can penetrate through the pores of the skin, or through any type of existing cut or wound. This allows bubbles to enter the bloodstream, which can travel to the major organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs. An embolism or blockage results because high-pressure gases have entered the circulatory system, which can cause serious injury or death.

Blindness

It only takes 12 psi from a steam source, in proximity to a human, to dislodge an eyeball from its socket. Less than 80 psi from a steam source can have the same effect, but from only 12 inches away.

Dehydration and Heat Stroke

Any facility that uses devices that raise temperature and produce steam can cause unintentional injury. Steam rooms, heated saunas and hot tubs can produce enough heat and steam to dehydrate the body, which can lead to heat stroke. If the body loses enough internal moisture through sweat, it can cause fatigue and unconsciousness, in small children, the elderly and pregnant women.

Body Trauma

When steam reaches critical temperature and pressure, and has no way of venting, the pressure limits of the device can burst a pipe, seam or valve, resulting in an explosion. The explosion can cause a shock wave that can throw a human body some distance away. This can result in multiple broken bones and severe head trauma.

Dismemberment

When large steam-contained components explode, they send out pieces of metal and materials that act like flying shrapnel. Ship boiler explosions experience these conditions, where the forces are so great, that limbs, feet and hands can be instantly severed.

Scalding and Burns

Steam burns can cause scalding and severe thermal burns to the skin. The outer dermal skin region can become blistered, peeled or stripped away. Some steam burns can cause redness. Overheated vehicle radiators, steam generators, hot pressure washers, boilers and pressure cooking devices can all cause scalding and steam burns.

Lung and Airway Damage

Super-heated steam can cause sever injuries to the lips, mouth, and airway. Direct inhalation of steam gases can burn the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing, coughing and a change of voice.

References

• Marchofdimes: Is it Safe to Get Spa Treatments During Pregnancy?
• N.Y. Times: Local Intelligence: The Dangers of Steam
• Food Network: How to Use a Pressure Cooker
• National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health: Burns
• Straightdope: Can High-Pressure Steam Cut a Body in Half?
• Burnvictiminjurylawyers: Burns from Steam