Environmental Health & Safety

Dry Ice Handling Procedures

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Dry Ice Handling Procedures

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1. PURPOSE
   
   This policy establishes procedures for the safe storage, usage, and handling of dry ice in laboratories at the University of Rochester.
   
   The main hazards of dry ice include burns and asphyxiation. Insulated cryogenic gloves and eye protection must be worn when handling dry ice. Use of dry ice in poorly ventilated areas can result in depletion of the oxygen level resulting in asphyxiation.
   
   
2. PERSONNEL AFFECTED
   
   University lab personnel
   EH&S personnel
   
   
3. DEFINITIONS / USES
   
   Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide, non-combustible, available in flakes, pellets or block form. Dry ice will sublime (vaporizes directly to the gas state) at a temperature of -78.5 C (-109.3 F) or higher.
   
   Dry ice is commonly purchased from a commercial manufacturer. Some labs make limited quantities of dry ice (for immediate use) using a "Dry Ice Machine" (various manufacturers currently available).
   
   Dry ice is commonly used to cool reactions or to ship biological specimens. Shipping using dry ice is covered under the EH&S Shipping Biological Training and Dry Ice located on MyPath.
   
   
4. RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   All University laboratory personnel must follow the safe storage, usage, and handling of dry ice (see below).
   
   EH&S personnel, upon discovery of improper storage or handling of dry ice will notify the PI/lab supervisor of the improper action for immediate corrective action.
   
   
5. PROCEDURES
   
   
   1. Storage:
      1. Dry ice must be stored in a Styrofoam chest, insulated cooler, or a special cooler designed for the storage of dry ice. The cooler must then be located in a well ventilated place, such as the open lab. NEVER store coolers in closets, cabinets, refrigerators, or walk in coolers/cold rooms.
      2. Due to the thermal expansion of dry ice (one pound of dry ice produces abut 250 liters of gaseous carbon dioxide), sufficient gaseous carbon dioxide can be produced in a sealed container to cause an explosion. Dry ice is NEVER to be stored in any type of tightly sealed devices such as an ultra-low freezer or plastic/glass container.
      3. Dry ice will sublimate about five to ten pounds every 24 hours (blocks last longer) in a typical storage cooler. Plan on purchasing dry ice as close as possible to the time needed.
      4. Normal air is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and only 0.04% carbon dioxide. Concentrations greater than 0.5% (5000 ppm) can become dangerous. Therefore, handle dry ice in well-ventilated locations.
      
      
   2. Hazards/Precautions:
      1. Burns/frostbite: Dry ice can cause burns to the skin in short periods of times. Cryogenic gloves must be used when handling dry ice. Eye protection in the form of safety glasses, goggles, or face shield must also be worn when handling dry ice.
      2. Suffocation: carbon dioxide is a simple asphyxiant. Always store dry ice in a well-ventilated area to minimize the build up of carbon dioxide. Personnel must use caution should dry ice be stored in a deep cooler. Never submerge your head into a cooler while scooping out dry ice, as the vapors are heavy and settle in low lying places or containers.
      3. Explosions: Placing dry ice into a tightly sealed container can permit sufficient gas build up to cause an explosion. Never place dry ice inside an ultra-low freezer or other enclosed space!
      4. Placement of dry ice in rooms with little or no ventilation can result in a build-up of the carbon dioxide in the area. Do not store dry ice in a confined area such as in walk-in coolers, refrigerators, freezers, closets, or cars/vans.
      5. The Safety Data Sheet for dry ice is available through the manufacturer or distributor, or through the EH&S MSDSOnline portal (see below).
      6. Medical assistance for dry ice injuries is available by contacting University Health Services at x5-2662. Report injuries from dry ice using the Employee Incident Report Form available at http://www.safety.rochester.edu/SMH115.html.
      7. When using dry ice to ship materials, the shipper must abide to all applicable shipping regulations.
      8. Disposal of unneeded dry ice is accomplished by:
         1. Letting the unused portion sublimate (recommended for well-ventilated locations because it will occur over a period of several days and the ventilation will take care of the gas liberated);
         2. NEVER dispose of dry ice in a sink, toilet or other drain (such action can destroy the structure because of the temperature difference);
         3. NEVER dispose of dry ice in the trash or garbage; and
         4. NEVER place unneeded dry ice in corridors (some corridors may not be well ventilated and the oxygen level can be reduced to low levels).
   
   
6. REFERENCES
   
   SDS for dry ice: Safety Data Sheets: https://shib2.its.rochester.edu/idp/profile/SAML2/Redirect/SSO?execution=e1s1
   
   Shipping Biological Specimens using dry ice: https://www.safety.rochester.edu/labbiosafe/ShippingBiologicalMaterials.html
7. APPENDICES/FORMS
   
   None
   
   
8. REVISION HISTORY
   
   

   Date	Revision No.	Description
   5/1/2009	New	Handling procedures for dry ice
   9/18/2017	Reviewed	No Changes
   10/14/2020	Revision 1	Minor updates

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   QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?
   Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.

   This page last updated 6/1/2021. Disclaimer.