Print
Bookmark
Gas Safety
Safe Handling of Dry Ice (Solid CO2)
Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide, CO2. It is made by compressing and cooling gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) until it liquefies. Expansion converts the liquid into the snow form of the solid state. The snow is then compressed by a hydraulic press into dry ice blocks, slices or pellets.
Solid Carbon Dioxide - CO2 is very cold: -78°C. It sublimes (turns from a solid) to an asphyxiant gas that is heavier than air. It is important to note that a little bit of dry ice will sublime to a large volume of gas.
- Special care should be taken when storing and transporting dry ice. By following these BOC guidelines safety will be ensured. Read more about storing and transporting dry ice
- Before handling and using dry ice it is important to understand its properties and potential hazards. It is also necessary to familiarise yourself with the actions to be taken in an emergency. Read more about dry ice safety
