A cryotherapy session at a Paris gym turned tragic earlier this week, leaving one woman brain-dead and resulting in the death of a gym employee. The incident occurred late Monday when a nitrogen leak from a cold chamber exposed those nearby to dangerously low oxygen levels. The gym employee, in her late twenties, died from asphyxiation, while a client in her early thirties was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and has since been declared brain-dead by the Paris prosecutor’s office.
Cryotherapy, which involves exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures using vaporized liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide, is promoted for its supposed benefits in reducing muscle soreness, stress, and skin ailments. However, the treatment is not without risks. Nitrogen, while making up about 80% of the air we breathe, can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces, leading to suffocation. This incident is not isolated; a similar fatality occurred in Las Vegas in 2015, prompting renewed scrutiny over the safety protocols of such treatments.
While advocates tout cryotherapy as a modern alternative to ice baths, many medical experts warn that its benefits are not scientifically proven and that the procedure carries significant dangers. The Paris tragedy has reignited calls for stricter regulation and more rigorous safety checks in facilities offering cryotherapy, as well as further research into both the immediate and long-term health effects of the treatment.
“Your donation helps us cover global events, ensuring everyone stays informed.”
(Source: Barron’s | CBS | Agence France-Presse )
