Question

Is D₂O poisonous?

Answer 1

${\mathrm{D}}_2\mathrm{O}$ is poisonous for animals as well as human beings because of the following reasons-

1. ${\mathrm{D}}_2\mathrm{O}$ is more toxic.

2. As we know that deuterium (deuterium is one of the isotopes of hydrogen having a mass twice of hydrogen) is heavier than hydrogen so the rate of chemical exchange reaction becomes slow. This is one of the reasons for ${\mathrm{D}}_2\mathrm{O}$ being called heavy water.

3. Neutrons are moderated by ${\mathrm{D}}_2\mathrm{O}$ in nuclear power facilities.

4. It is also used in the laboratory for chemical and biological reactions as an isotopic tracer.

5. Your symptoms would resemble radiation poisoning if you drank too much heavy water, despite the fact that heavy water is not radioactive.

Hence, ${\mathrm{D}}_2\mathrm{O}$ is poisonous.