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Caution: Keep Dry Ice away from other people if they cannot be closely supervised at all times. You may be liable for any injuries. Keep the blast cleaning area well ventilated at all times.

VENTILATION
Normal air is 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and only 0.035% Carbon Dioxide. If the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air rises above 0.5%, carbon dioxide can become dangerous. Smaller concentrations can cause quicker breathing and headaches but is otherwise not harmful. If Dry Ice has been in a closed auto, van, room, or walk-in, for more than 10 minutes, open doors and allow adequate ventilation before entering. Leave area containing Dry Ice if you start to pant and breath quickly develop a headache or your fingernails or lips start to turn blue. This is the sign that you have breathed in too much CO2 and not enough oxygen. Dry Ice CO2 is heavier than air and will accumulate in low spaces. Do not enter closed storage areas that have or have had stored Dry Ice before airing out completely.

Dry ice blast cleaning contractors must always keep in mind the risk of elevated carbon dioxide in the blast cleaning area – both for their personal safety and the safety of others in the area. Always provide additional ventilation for indoor projects and monitor yourself and others for shortness in breath and dizziness. A carbon dioxide monitor may be helpful. Several years ago CSC, a consulting firm specializing in indoor environmental air quality did an on-site study of CO2 levels before, during and after a one hour dry ice blasting project. With good ventilation during the blasting, the levels of CO2 were never considered dangerously high. But it was measured at a level higher than what is considered acceptable inside a commercial airplane during a long flight. See the Case Study: Dry Ice Blasting Safety paper for further details.

HANDLING
Dry Ice temperature is extremely cold at -109.3°F or -78.5°C. Always handle Dry Ice with care and wear protective cloth or leather gloves whenever touching it. If touched briefly it is harmless, but prolonged contact with the skin will freeze cells and cause injury similar to a burn.

STORAGE
Store Dry Ice in an insulated container. The thicker the insulation, the slower it will sublimate. Do not store Dry Ice in a completely airtight container. The sublimation of Dry Ice to Carbon Dioxide gas will cause any airtight container to expand or possibly explode. Keep proper air ventilation wherever Dry Ice is stored. Do not store Dry Ice in unventilated areas. The sublimated Carbon Dioxide gas will sink to low areas and replace oxygenated air. This could cause suffocation if breathed exclusively. There are Commercial Storage Containers available.

PICK-UP TIME AND TRANSPORTING
Plan to pick up the Dry Ice as close to the time it is needed or have it delivered to your location the day of blast cleaning. It sublimates at a rate of around 10% every 24 hours, depending upon the quality of insulation. If it is transported inside a car or van for more than 15 minutes make sure there is fresh air. After 15 minutes with Dry Ice only in its paper bag wrapper in the passenger seat next to me, I started to breathe faster and faster as though I were running a race. I couldn't figure out why I was so out of breath until I saw the car air system was set in the re-circulated position, not fresh outside air. If transported on a flatbed truck, make sure it is protected from rain, or you will look like a special effects vehicle with smoke-like fog pouring out behind you. One truck actually was pulled over for this problem.

MSDS
Here is a MSDS currently on line: http://stores.biochem.uiowa.edu/Pages/dryicemsds.html

TILED FLOORS OR COUNTERTOPS
Do not leave Dry Ice on a tiled or solid surface countertop or tiled floors as the extreme cold could crack it.

DISPOSAL
Unwrap and leave it at room temperature in a well-ventilated area. It will sublimate from a solid into a gas.

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PRECISION ICEBLAST CORP.

An Unbeatable Safety Record

3340 Rosebud Road
Loganville, Georgia, USA 30052
800-832-4262        770-979-8000
Fax:770-978-5861
E-mail: tomco@tomcoequipment.com
Web Site:http://www.tomcoequipment.com/

Offering the BEST in Dry Ice and
CO₂ Storage and Manufacturing Equipment.
Including 24/7 Technical Support!

Carbon Dioxide Monitor available

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Last Revised: 12/31/11

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