Dry Ice Safety

First Aid

If you do get a burn from dry ice, frozen tissues should be flooded/soaked with tepid water. Don’t use hot water. See a doctor if the skin blisters or comes off. If the burn is only red it will heal in time as any other burn.

Apply antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin™ or generic equivalent to prevent infection.

Bandage only if the burned skin area needs to be protected.

Caution:
Keep dry ice away from children if they cannot be closely
supervised at all times.

Always handle dry ice with care. It is extremely cold at -109.3°F or -78.5°C. If touched very briefly dry ice may not harm skin, but contact with the skin for more than a second will freeze cells and can cause injury similar to a burn.
Wear hand protection whenever touching dry ice. An oven mitt or thick folded towel will work.

Do

Store dry ice in a thermally insulated container. The thicker the insulation, the slower it will sublimate – turn into carbon dioxide gas (CO2).

If dry ice has been in a closed auto, van, room, or walk-in, open the doors and allow adequate ventilation before entering.

If you drive with dry ice in an enclosed vehicle, be sure to have proper ventilation.

Leave area containing dry ice if you start to pant or breathe quickly.

Remember that CO2 is heavier than air and will accumulate in low spaces.

Keep proper air ventilation wherever dry ice is stored.

Don't

Do not enter closed storage areas that have had, or now have, dry ice before airing the space out completely.

Do not store dry ice in a completely airtight container. The sublimation of dry ice to CO2 gas will cause any airtight container to expand and possibly rupture or explode.

Do not store dry ice in unventilated rooms, cellars, autos or boat holds. The sublimated CO2 gas will sink to low areas and replace oxygenated air. This could cause suffocation if breathed exclusively.

Do not store dry ice in a refrigerator freezer. The extremely cold temperature will cause your thermostat to turn off the freezer. Dry ice is useful for emergency cooling if your refrigerator breaks down. Be sure to insure proper ventilation.

If the concentration of CO2 gas in the air rises above 5%, it can be toxic. Smaller concentrations can cause quicker breathing.

Do not leave dry ice on a Formica™, plastic or tiled countertop as the extreme cold could crack the countertop.

Do not leave dry ice unattended around children.

Tips

• Pick up dry ice as close as possible to the time needed.
  
• Dry ice sublimates at 5-10%, or 5 to 10 pounds every 24 hours. Carry it in a well-insulated container such as an ice chest.
  
• If you transport dry ice in a car or van, make sure there is a fresh air supply.
  
• You can dispose of small quantities of dry ice, away from the public, by leaving it outside or in a well-ventilated room at room temperature.

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