Dry Ice Safety

Dry Ice

• Temperature in solid form –1090F or –78.50C
• Sublimation rate: Approximately 10lbs/24 hours in a standard insulated container. (The more insulation and the closer to full the container, the slower the ice will sublimate.)

Storage

• Store dry ice in a hard side insulated container. The thicker the insulation the longer you can store the ice.
• Do not store dry ice in a completely airtight container. The sublimating gas will expand.
• Do not store dry ice in unventilated spaces (cold rooms, refrigerators, freezers, a closed car etc.). Sublimating gas may create an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
• Open and close the container as little as possible to slow the sublimation process.
• Fill open space in the storage container with wadded paper to limit dead space and slow the sublimation process.

Personal Protective Equipment

Leather or cryogen gloves must be used to handle dry ice. Cover exposed skin that may be exposed during handling (long sleeves, long pants). Use safety glasses and face shield when breaking up block ice.

Burn Treatment

A brief encounter with dry ice is harmless. Longer contact may produce a freeze burn by freezing skin cells. If the burn causes redness only, it will heal in time as any other burn. If the burn blisters or peels, seek medical attention.

Spill

Dry Ice will sublimate to carbon dioxide. The gas is heavier than air and will accumulate in low areas of the space. Open the room to allow appropriate mixing. Do not enter or place your face near any pits, sump areas or other confined low spots in the room.

Disposal

Leave in a well ventilated area or ducted fume hood. Dry ice will sublimate to carbon dioxide gas.