There is something soothing and magical in watching wax bubbles floating around in a lava lamp. This is why the lava lamp has been on the market for over 50 years.
Apart from the aesthetics and lighting, any curious mind wants to know what is in a lava lamp and whether are they toxic or not.
Normally lava lamp fluid or liquid is a combination of water, mineral oil, paraffin wax, and some freezing substance that cools down the wax to form bubbles. While most of it is none toxic, there are some secret ingredients that most manufacturers don’t disclose.
So what happens if you touch lava lamp liquid? There is no short answer to this. We will have to look into it in different approaches to get the right answer for different situations.
Question of the Century: What Happens if You Touch Lava Lamp Liquid
Typically, the lava lamp liquid is totally fine when it is inside the lamp. But if somehow you spill it, or break the glass and get onto your skin, it is a whole different story.
No matter if it is turned on or not, there will be an outcome to getting chemical substances on your skin.
Here is a possible scenario where you will find a lava lamp liquid acting differently on your skin.
Hot Lava Lamp Liquid on Your Skin
As for any glass home appliances, they are prone to break if force is applied to them. This includes falling from a height, accidental drops, and even developed micro cracks.
No matter what the situation is, you have to consider a lava lamp with a boiling pot of water when it is turned on. Though the heat is not that excessive, it is still hot.
The bulb in a lava lamp heats up the wax and melts it. The freezing element then cools it down when it floats up and this forms the show of lava floating around.
When the lamp is broken and somehow you get the hot liquid on your skin, the chemical reaction is the least of your concern. Hot wax might burn your skin or irritate it.
The best thing to do is wash it off with water as soon as possible.
Cold Lava Lamp Liquid Reaction to Your Skin
If somehow curiosity got to you and you opened your lava lamp to inspect the liquid, you will find it acts as any other oil and water mixture.
Though it is totally harmless, the secret ingredients might have a harmful impact on sensitive skin.
So it is best if you don’t touch it at all. Leave alone drink it. You will not get any superpower from it but diarrhea and a visit to the emergency room.
Is Lava Lamp Liquid Toxic
Although manufacturers claim that lava lamp liquid is not toxic, there are secret ingredients that they don’t disclose after 1970 when the US regulation department banned carbon tetrachloride.
So it is best to be a little suspicious and careful when dealing with anything chemical. It might not kill you, but leave you with a bad experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the fluid in a lava lamp toxic?
Lava lamp fluid consists of water, mineral oil, paraffin wax, dye, and some secret ingredients. Before the US health department banned carbon tetrachloride in 1970, they mentioned it on the packet. Which is a toxic element that harms any animal and human skin. So the secret ingredients might be something toxic that will react differently from one person to another. Better stay away from touching the fluid.
Can I touch the liquid in a lava lamp?
Yes. If you have broken the lava lamp somehow, it is okay to touch the fluid to clean your space. But intentionally you should never touch the liquid when the lamp is turned on. You might get electrocuted, burn from the heat, and so on.
What is the clear liquid inside a lava lamp?
The clear liquid inside a lava lamp is mineral oil, dye, and water. There is also a secret ingredient that the manufacturers don’t disclose that is responsible to cool down the wax mixture.
What happens if I shake my lava lamp?
If you shake your lava lamp, it will become cloudy. This might not only damage the chemical compound but also the lamp components itself. If somehow your lamp gets shaken from a fall, leave it still on a table for 24 hours before turning it on.
Conclusion
A lava lamp is not only a lamp but also an entertainment object. The floating wax bubbles calm down your mind along with the ambient light putting in the same effect in your room. Rather opening and touching the fluids is somewhat of a nuisance. If somehow the lamp breaks, clean it up properly and wash your hands afterward to avoid any allergic reaction.
