In the event of accidental skin contact, it will sublimate on its surface and form a thin protective gas layer that prevents direct contact with the skin (Leidenfrost effect). If dry ice still comes into firm contact with the skin for several seconds, the sublimation is interrupted and the ice remains stuck to the skin, similar to touching cryogenic metal objects.
DRY ICE – UN 1845 Kl.9
Safety instructions
Gloves and safety glasses should be worn when handling dry ice. Swallowing dry ice is life-threatening due to the risk of suffocation and cold burns.
- Only handle dry ice with protective gloves
- Store dry ice only in rooms with adequate ventilation
- Only transport dry ice in the gas-tight, separated cargo area
- Store dry ice only in containers provided for this purpose
- Keep dry ice away from children
In order to prevent long-term damage to the skin and the underlying tissue layers, it must be removed (torn off) immediately, otherwise a cold burn occurs, in which the tissue dies in a few seconds. Such damage takes no account of tissue layers and spreads inwards in a cone shape.
This process is used medicinally in the treatment of warts. When stored in closed rooms, this displaces
standing carbon dioxide gas due to its higher density the air on the ground. With sublimation, the gas expands to 760 times its original volume, which is why even small amounts of dry ice can completely fill a room with gas.
In concentrations above 5%, it has a suffocating effect even if the oxygen content of the breath is sufficient. A dangerous gas pressure can build up in closed containers. Commercially available dry ice for industrial use may contain impurities and should therefore not be used to cool food (beverages).
Our dry ice products
Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (CO2) that sublimates under normal pressure at −78.48 ° C, i.e. passes directly into the gas phase without melting beforehand. Dry ice does not occur naturally on Earth, but in the CO2-rich atmosphere of Mars it freezes in winter at higher latitudes and forms the well-known polar caps. Some meteoroids also contain large amounts of it.