Southwest Airlines tackles exploding cans due to extreme heat
On the planes of the American airline Southwest Airlines, cans of carbonated drinks are increasingly exploding. These incidents are already being counted in the hundreds. In some cases, crew members have been injured, reports CNN. The airline announced that it has implemented measures to address the problem.
The growing number of cans exploding on planes is due to waves of record heat taking place this year in the USA. Cans of drinks are exposed to extremely high temperatures, which causes an increase in pressure inside them and, consequently, an explosion.
According to "The Washington Post", at least 20 flight attendants of Southwest Airlines have been injured this summer while trying to open a drink. In addition, there have been hundreds of similar incidents among passengers.
When a can is exposed to heat, the carbon dioxide in the carbonated drink separates, expands, and exerts increasing pressure on the can from the inside, explained Kate Biberdorf, a chemist at the University of Texas at Austin, in an interview with CNN.
The problem of exploding cans on planes. the airline responds
Therefore, such cans in a hot place are like "small bombs" capable of exploding with the slightest movement. I don't want to say this to scare people, but that's really how you should think about them, added the expert.
The problem particularly concerns airports located in the hottest parts of the country, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Houston, and Dallas.
A spokesperson for the airline told CNN that the airline is aware of the problem and is taking steps to store our drinks in cooler places, especially at airports where extreme temperatures occur.
