Are you looking to use dry ice? Unsure of what precautions you should be taking? You have come to the right place! Read these dry ice safety tips to make sure you are taking all the necessary precautions before getting started.
What is Dry Ice?
Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide gas. Dry ice is primarily used as a cooling agent due to its extremely low temperature of 109° F. Dry ice is a non-toxic substance that has no by-product. Unlike normal ice that melts into a puddle, dry ice sublimates!
Sublimation is when a solid turns into a gas, while completely skipping over its liquid form. What does this mean for you? Dry Ice is virtually mess-free. It won’t melt into a puddle! Instead, dry ice turns into the gas form of carbon dioxide, so make sure you are in a well-ventilated area.
In order to get the most use of your dry ice, we recommend storing your product in a thick, insulated container. By doing so, you can slow down the sublimation process and loss of product. Typically, 5-10% of the dry ice is lost every 24 hours, so make sure you buy enough for your project.
Although dry ice is a non-toxic substance, it can still cause harm if you don’t take the necessary dry ice safety steps.
Handle with Care: Dry Ice SafetyÂ
Thick Gloves/Tongs
Noble Gas Solutions recommends using thick gloves and tongs when handling dry ice. The extremely low temperature of dry ice can cause severe skin damage upon contact with exposed skin. Do not ingest dry ice directly as the low temperatures create a similarly harmful effect to your internal organs.
Well-Ventilated Area
Make sure to be in a well-ventilate area when exposing dry ice to the air. Dry ice produces carbon dioxide gas during sublimation which can fill up an enclosed space. An increased amount of exposure in an enclosed area could cause light headed-ness, and even suffocation. When transporting dry ice in a vehicle, always make sure to have your vehicle windows open. This will prevent the carbon dioxide gas from replacing the oxygen in your car completely with carbon dioxide.
Adult Supervision
Dry ice is often used in classrooms and at home for projects and fun activities. Noble Gas Solutions recommends adult supervision at all times with younger children who may be unaware of the potential risks of dry ice. The smoke effect created by dry ice can cause curiosity, so make sure the product is not ingested and direct skin contact is avoided, at all times!
Overall, dry ice can be completely safe to handle if done so properly. For any questions or concerns feel free to contact our Noble Team. Noble Gas Solutions is proud to manufacture dry ice in-house in Albany, NY every weekday. Let us supply you with all your dry ice needs by filling out our user-friendly contact form.
