Chloe Zhang
Dry ice is solidified carbon dioxide, which is commonly purchased in block form or as small pellets. It is often used to cool reactions or to ship biological specimens. However, it is extremely dangerous and can cause burns and asphyxiation if not handled correctly. It should never be stored in plastic containers as it can cause an explosion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is dry ice? | Solidified carbon dioxide |
| Forms | Pellets, flakes, blocks |
| Storage | Never store in plastic or glass containers, freezers, refrigerators, walk-in coolers, closets, cabinets, cars/vans, or any type of tightly sealed devices |
| Storage (continued) | Always store in a Styrofoam chest, insulated cooler, or a cooler designed for dry ice storage |
| Storage location | Well-ventilated areas like an open lab |
| Disposal | Never dispose of in sinks, toilets, or drains; allow it to melt in a wide-open area |
| Safety | Can cause burns and asphyxiation; use insulated cryogenic gloves and eye protection when handling |
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What You'll Learn
Dry ice should never be stored in plastic containers
The main hazards of dry ice include burns and asphyxiation. It can cause burns to the skin within short periods of exposure and must be handled with insulated cryogenic gloves and eye protection. If used in a poorly ventilated area, the carbon dioxide released by dry ice can deplete oxygen levels, leading to asphyxiation.
To safely store dry ice, it must be placed in a well-ventilated area. It should be stored in a Styrofoam chest, insulated cooler, or a special cooler designed for dry ice storage. These coolers should never be kept in confined spaces, such as closets, cabinets, refrigerators, or walk-in coolers.
When disposing of dry ice, it should never be disposed of in a sink, toilet, or drain as it can cause damage. The recommended method is to allow it to melt in a wide-open area, ensuring proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon dioxide.
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It can cause an explosion in sealed containers
Dry ice should never be stored in any type of sealed container or device. This includes plastic containers, glass containers, ice chests, freezers, walk-in coolers, refrigerators, or cars/vans. The reason for this is that dry ice is solidified carbon dioxide, which sublimates (turns directly from a solid to a gas) at a temperature of -78.5°C or higher. One pound of dry ice produces about 250 liters of gaseous carbon dioxide, which can quickly build up in a sealed container and lead to an explosion. Even in a well-ventilated area, concentrations of carbon dioxide above 0.5% (5000 ppm) can be dangerous, causing health issues if inhaled. Therefore, dry ice should always be handled and stored in a well-ventilated location, and insulated cryogenic gloves and eye protection must be worn when handling it to prevent burns and frostbite.
The safest way to store dry ice is in a Styrofoam chest, insulated cooler, or a special cooler designed for dry ice storage. These containers must then be placed in a well-ventilated area, such as an open lab, and should never be stored in confined spaces. When using dry ice to ship materials, shippers must abide by all applicable shipping regulations, and it should never be disposed of in a sink, toilet, or drain as it can damage the structure. Instead, the safest way to dispose of dry ice is to allow it to melt in a wide-open area.
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It can cause burns and frostbite
Dry ice is extremely cold and can cause burns and frostbite if it comes into direct contact with skin. It is important to wear insulated cryogenic gloves when handling dry ice to avoid these injuries. Eye protection in the form of safety glasses, goggles, or a face shield should also be worn to prevent eye damage.
The thermal expansion of dry ice can also present a risk of burns and frostbite. One pound of dry ice produces about 250 liters of gaseous carbon dioxide, and if stored in a sealed container, this can cause an explosion. Therefore, dry ice should never be stored in a tightly sealed container, such as a plastic or glass container, or an ultra-low freezer. It should also not be stored in walk-in coolers, refrigerators, freezers, closets, or cars/vans, as these are confined spaces that can trap carbon dioxide, leading to dangerous levels of oxygen depletion.
Instead, dry ice should be stored in a well-ventilated area, such as an open lab, to prevent a buildup of carbon dioxide. The recommended storage containers for dry ice include a Styrofoam chest, an insulated cooler, or a special cooler designed for dry ice storage.
In addition to the risks of burns and frostbite, the expansion of carbon dioxide from dry ice can also cause asphyxiation if used in poorly ventilated areas. It is crucial to follow safe handling and storage procedures to prevent injuries and ensure the well-being of those working with dry ice.
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It should be handled in well-ventilated locations
Dry ice should be handled in a well-ventilated area, such as an open lab, to prevent a build-up of carbon dioxide. This is because dry ice is solidified carbon dioxide, which sublimates (turns directly from a solid to a gas) at temperatures of -78.5°C or higher. One pound of dry ice produces about 250 litres of gaseous carbon dioxide, which is enough to cause an explosion in a sealed container. In confined spaces, a build-up of carbon dioxide can occur, which is dangerous for humans to breathe and can cause asphyxiation. Therefore, dry ice should never be stored in a confined area such as a walk-in cooler, refrigerator, freezer, closet, car, or van. The safest way to dispose of dry ice is to allow it to melt in a wide-open area, and it should never be disposed of in a sink, toilet, or drain.
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It should be stored in a Styrofoam chest or insulated cooler
Dry ice should be stored in a Styrofoam chest or insulated cooler. This is because dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide, which sublimates (turns directly into a gas) at a temperature of -78.5°C or higher. As dry ice turns into a gas, it expands rapidly—one pound of dry ice produces about 250 litres of carbon dioxide gas. This means that storing dry ice in a tightly sealed container, such as a freezer or plastic container, can be extremely dangerous as the carbon dioxide buildup could cause the container to explode.
Storing dry ice in a Styrofoam chest or insulated cooler helps to slow the sublimation process. Blocks of dry ice last longer than pellets or flakes, but even so, you should plan to purchase dry ice as close as possible to when you need it. When stored in a typical storage cooler, dry ice will sublimate at a rate of about five to ten pounds every 24 hours. This rate will be slower in a Styrofoam chest or insulated cooler.
The cooler should be placed in a well-ventilated area, such as an open lab. Do not store dry ice in a confined space, including walk-in coolers, refrigerators, freezers, closets, or cars/vans. The ventilation is important because carbon dioxide is not safe for humans to breathe in large quantities. Concentrations of carbon dioxide greater than 0.5% can be dangerous, and poor ventilation can lead to depletion of oxygen levels, resulting in asphyxiation.
In addition to proper storage and ventilation, it is important to always use insulated cryogenic gloves and eye protection when handling dry ice. Dry ice can cause burns to the skin and eyes, so safety glasses, goggles, or a face shield should be worn in addition to gloves.
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Frequently asked questions
No, dry ice should never be stored in plastic containers. It should also not be kept in any type of sealed container, such as a freezer, ice chest, glass container, or sink.
Dry ice is solidified carbon dioxide. When exposed to room temperature, it begins to melt and turns into gas. If kept in an airtight container, the carbon dioxide released can cause the container to explode.
Dry ice should be stored in a Styrofoam chest, insulated cooler, or a special cooler designed for dry ice storage.
Dry ice should always be stored in a well-ventilated area. It should not be kept in confined spaces such as walk-in coolers, refrigerators, freezers, closets, or cars/vans.
Dry ice can cause burns to the skin, so insulated cryogenic gloves must be worn when handling it. Eye protection in the form of safety goggles or a face shield should also be worn.
