Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Buying and Transporting Dry Ice
• Part 2 of 3: Handling Dry Ice
• Part 3 of 3: Things to Avoid

Dry frozen ice is carbon dioxide, the same gas that we produce when we breathe. Ice is called dry because it passes from a dry state to a gaseous state (or sublimates) under normal atmospheric conditions, avoiding a liquid state. If you are doing a science project or creating a fog effect, follow these steps to handle dry ice safely.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Buying and Transporting Dry Ice

1. 1 Grab ice from your local grocery store or your regular general store. Stores that sell dry ice Safeway, Wal-Mart, and Costco.
   • Plan to take dry ice as close as possible to the time you intend to use it.Since dry ice quickly changes from a solid to a gaseous state, it has a short shelf life. Every 24 hours, 5-10 pounds (2-4 kg) of dry ice changes from solid to gas.
   • Although most people can buy dry ice, some stores sell it to people over the age of 18.
2. 2 Buy ice block. Dry ice blocks are used for school experiments, as well as for creating a fog effect.
   • Dry ice is also supplied in the form of granules, but mainly in this form it is suitable for cleaning surfaces and for medical transportation.
   • The price of dry ice is $ 1.00 - $ 3.00 (about 30-100 rubles) Although prices vary depending on the quantity and location, it is inexpensive.
3. 3 Place dry ice in an insulated container, like a plastic ice cooler / crate. Dry ice is much colder than conventional freezers (-109.3 to -78.5 degrees Celsius) and does not need to be stored in a cold place like a refrigerator or freezer.
   • The better the insulation of the cooler or ice box, the slower the dry ice will sublimate.
   • Open the container as little as possible to slow down the sublimation process. You can fill the empty space in the container with paper napkins - this will also slow down the process.
   • Storing dry ice in the freezer can actually turn off the thermostat. Dry ice is very cold, so you can turn off the freezer to avoid over-freezing food. Hence, if your freezer is broken, you can put dry ice inside, this will act as a replacement.
4. 4 Place the cooler in your car and lower the windows. Remember that dry ice is carbon dioxide and is harmful if inhaled in large quantities.
   • Fresh air is especially important if you are transporting dry ice for longer than 15 minutes. In a poorly ventilated area, dry ice can lead to rapid breathing, headaches, and can be fatal if inhaled for a long time.

Part 2 of 3: Handling Dry Ice

1. 1 Wear leather gloves and long sleeves when opening or pouring dry ice. Although short-term contact is harmless, prolonged skin contact can freeze cells and cause a fire-like burn.
   • Hot potholders or a towel will work just as well, but they won't provide the protection that gloves do. Handle dry ice as you would a hot skillet, protecting your skin from contact with it.
   • Dry ice burns are treated in the same way as regular burns. If your skin is just reddened, it's okay - it will heal soon. If the skin is covered with blisters, you will need an antibiotic ointment and rewinding your hand with a bandage. Seek medical attention immediately in case of extreme burns.
2. 2 Store unused dry ice in a well-ventilated area. Storing large quantities of dry ice in rooms where there is little air flow can create an oxygen deficiency in the air.
   • For storage, you can use a storage shed (outbuilding) in your yard, there is good air circulation in it, which will prevent the threat of suffocation to people or animals. If you are having trouble finding a good storage location for dry ice, ask your school chemistry teacher if there is a safe storage space in the chemistry lab lab
   • Make sure you store dry ice out of the reach of children and animals.
3. 3 Open the doors and windows in the room where the dry ice has spilled. Dry ice will continue to sublimate and must mix with air.
   • Dry ice is heavier than oxygen in density and will accumulate in lowlands if spilled. Avoid placing your head near pits or other low, confined spaces, as these areas will have high levels of carbon dioxide.
4. 4 If you want to get rid of dry ice, leave it in a well-ventilated area at room temperature. Remember that it is constantly sublimated and just needs to be left alone for it to evaporate.
   • Your backyard is a good place to get rid of dry ice. Make sure it is safe and not accessible to others for at least 24 hours.
   • You can also use a fume hood to hold dry ice. The fume cupboard is ventilated and where harmful chemicals can be used or stored. Your school's chemistry lab may have a fume hood in which you can leave excess dry ice. Before using it, tell your teacher.

Part 3 of 3: Things to Avoid

1. 1 Do not store dry ice in a fully sealed container. Sublimation of dry ice to carbon dioxide will expand in the container and may explode.
   • Dry ice can cause violent eruption if packed too tightly. Some people have been prosecuted for deliberately creating a dry ice bomb.
   • Do not store dry ice in metal or glass containers, as an explosion can create shrapnel, which can cause cuts and other serious injury.
2. 2 Avoid storing dry ice in cellars, basements, cars, or other poorly ventilated areas. Dry ice carbon dioxide will gradually begin to replace oxygen and may cause choking if inhaled.
   • Ventilate storage areas in front of the entrance where dry ice was previously stored.
3. 3 Try not to leave dry ice unattended. Of course, you can't keep track of everything, but these dry ice spills and other accidents can happen if you are not careful.
   • Do not leave dry ice on tiled or hard countertops as extreme cold can damage them.
4. 4 Do not throw dry ice down a drain, sink, toilet, or trash chute. You will probably freeze the water in the pipes and this could cause them to burst.
   • The extreme compactness of the pipe can cause the dry ice to expand more rapidly and can lead to an explosion.