Soda/Selzer water

Yazmin

Does anybody know whether the carbone dioxide in soda/selzer water is toxic, or if CO2 changes into something non-toxic once introduced into water to make it bubly? 

Husband11

CO2 isn't toxic at low concentrations in the blood.  It's a normal byproduct of respiration.  Dissolved in water (or blood), it forms carbonic acid.  Unless confined under pressure, it slowly leaves the water as C02 gas and eventually the water reaches equilibrium with the atmospheric content of C02.  Similar process occurs when you breathe fresh air into your lungs. C02 moves to area of lower concentration from blood to air spaces, and 02 enters the blood, binds to haemoglobin and is transported about to tissues.  Any normal substance has its limits beyond which it is toxic, even water, sugars, salts, oxygen and c02.  All have to remain within fairly narrow physiologic levels within the body, but are not really considered toxic.  Carbon monoxide on the other hand is dangerous because it binds to haemoglobin and displaces oxygen carrying ability of haemoglobin.  c02 doesnt, but enough of it can suffocate you if it displaces oxygen in the air you breathe.

Yazmin

Thanks a lot, Timothy. I'll keep drinking from my new soda-making machine, then.