Safety Tips For Handling Dry Ice

With an average temperate of -109 degrees Fahrenheit, dry ice is a powerful cooling agent that's commonly used to preserve food, remove warts or skin tags, carbonate liquids, and more. Due to its exceptionally cold temperature, however, individuals handling or working with dry ice should follow some basic safety precautions to prevent injury. There have been hundreds of hospital emergency room visits caused by this substance.

What Is Dry Ice?

Technically, dry ice is nothing more than carbon dioxide in a solid state. When we exhale, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. It's also the same stuff that's added to sodas to make it fizzy and bubbly.

The difference between this carbon dioxide and dry ice is the temperature difference. As previously stated, the temperature of dry ice typically falls around -109 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing it to maintain a solid state rather than gas.

Safety Tip: Wear Thick, Insulated Gloves

The golden rule of handling dry ice is to never touch it with your bare hands. It may look like a normal ice cube, but the extreme surface temperature may cause burns and/or frostbite. If you need to move dry ice, use a scooping tool along with a pair of thick, well-insulated gloved to protect your hands from the sub-zero temperatures.

Safety Tip: Never Store In Air-Tight Containers

Another important safety tip is to avoid storing dry ice in air-tight containers. Think of dry ice as an expanding chemical -- similar to a soda bottle that you shake and toss around. When enough pressure is built up in its storage container, it may explode, sending bits and pieces of shrapnel flying in all directions.

There's nothing wrong with storing dry ice in a plastic container, but it should have a small crack to release the pressure.

Safety Tip: Wear Safety Glasses

Always wear safety glasses when handling dry ice. Eye injuries related to dry ice are rare, but it's still better to be safe than sorry. A pair of industrial-grade safety goggles will protect your eyes from dry ice and flying debris.

Safety Tip: Work In a Ventilated Area

There's a hidden danger associated with dry ice that most people fail to realize: suffocation. As it converts into a gas form, dry ice releases carbon dioxide. This is perfectly fine in a well-ventilated area, as the carbon dioxide will spread out. However, using dry ice in a small, confined space may result in the carbon dioxide pushing out the oxygen; thus, creating a real threat of suffocation.