What is dry ice? Is it safe to use dry ice? What is the best way to use dry ice?

Dry ice has many applications in everyday life thanks to its cleaning and cooling effects. However, the question is, is it safe to use dry ice? What dangerous consequences will they cause if you do not store and use them properly? Check out the article to gain more understanding and use dry ice correctly!

What is dry ice?

Dry ice is also known as dry ice, smoky ice, dry ice, smoke ice, CO2 ice . This is a solid form of carbon dioxide. Under normal pressure, dry ice does not melt into carbon dioxide but directly sublimates into a gas when the temperature reaches -78.5°C (-109.3°F).

Today, dry ice is commonly used. Exports of seafood, vegetables, and tubers use dry ice to chill and preserve, helping food retain its freshness and preserve it longer.

In medicine, dry ice is used in medical facilities and hospitals to preserve vaccines, biological samples , blood, and tissue storage (organs, organs). In particular, dry ice is also used for embalming.

Due to the characteristics of fast vaporization, creating a white mist that flies over the ground when it meets water, dry ice is used in small stages of restaurants , event centers instead of smoke generators.

Is it safe to use dry ice?

Burns from dry ice

Dry ice is very cold. Therefore, if you directly hold this stone, the skin cells can be destroyed and the skin of your hands will be peeled off due to the cold burn. They only take a few seconds to cause frostbite, so it’s best to use tongs or gloves to handle dry ice.

Dry ice can cause suffocation

The carbon dioxide components in dry ice can reduce the percentage of oxygen in the air. Therefore, in closed spaces, using dry ice will easily lead to suffocation .

In particular, if cold carbon dioxide sinks to the floor of a room, it is very easy to cause many health problems, especially for weak people such as children, the elderly or animals.

Dry ice may present an explosion hazard

Although dry ice does not cause fire or explosion, it creates great pressure that changes the state from solid to gaseous carbon dioxide . If dry ice is stored in a closed container, there is a risk that the container will explode or pop the lid off at any time.

What is the best way to use dry ice?

Dry ice is inherently non-toxic, but if you do not know how to use it correctly, it is very easy to cause frostbite or carbon dioxide poisoning. Therefore, when working with dry ice, it is necessary to wear gloves and the surrounding area must be airy.

To avoid fire hazards from dry ice, do not store them in tightly closed bottles, jars or coolers . It’s best to store dry ice in a paper bag and keep it in the refrigerator or other freezers that aren’t too tightly closed.

Absolutely do not let children play with dry ice, especially do not eat or drink dry ice.

Through the article, Tnhelearning.edu.vn hopes you have more useful knowledge about dry ice!

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