Dry Ice Properties

Dry Ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide. It can be obtained in many forms, including flakes, pellets or blocks. Dry ice is extremely cold and will sublime (transition from solid to gas directly) at –78.5° C (-109.3° F). As it is comprised solely of carbon dioxide, it is non-combustible.

Proper Handling

• Use Loose fitting cryogenic gloves.
• Use scoops or tongs in addition to gloves to handle dry ice.

Transportation and storage

• Only transport dry ice in appropriate containers (must be able to withstand low temperatures and non-sealable).
• Containers must have a labels or warnings for dry ice attached.
• Do not package and ship dry ice unless you have taken hazardous materials shipping training.
• Do store dry ice in areas with limited ventilation. Exam-ples would be unvented storage closets, cold rooms, or other confined areas.
• Dry Ice must also be marked with UN1845, Dry Ice.
• Packages must also have up arrows on opposite sides of the package.

Handling Guidance

• Do not touch dry ice
• Do not swallow dry ice
• Do not store in confined spaces (such as walk in freezers or unvented rooms)
• Do not place in airtight containers

Disposal

• Allow dry ice to sublimate in a well ventilated area.
• Do not dispose of dry ice in waste containers.
• Do not store dry ice in sinks or other fixtures. Dry ice can damage plumbing fixtures.

Health Hazards

• Burns: Handling dry ice with bare hands can cause cryo-genic burns to the skin. Dry ice tends to stick to exposed skin worsening the burn
• Asphyxiation: Carbon Dioxide sublimated from dry ice can displace oxygen in areas with poor ventilation. This may case asphyxiation.
• If a package containing dry ice is bulging, it might be un-der pressure. Do not attempt to open a bulging dry ice container yourself. A sudden release in pressure might cause the package to burst.