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#1 Posted : 27 January 2006 09:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Scott d
Hi All,

I am expecting a delivery of 20 x 40ml Vials (small package), contained in dry ice. I have never dealt with this before and believe that opening these small packages outside with operator simply wearing glasses and leather gloves should be sufficient precaution.

I believe that an SCBA mask is a requirement for larger quantities but would not be necessary for the amount which I will be recieving.

Could aomeone please let me know if this is insufficient.

Many Thanks,

Scott
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#2 Posted : 27 January 2006 09:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jim Walker
Something else you ought to bear in mind: being frozen carbon dioxide, as it thaws it produces huge volumes of co2. Make sure you open in a well ventilated place, preferably outdoors.
If you need to do inside you ought to consider confined space regulations
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#3 Posted : 27 January 2006 09:32:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jerry Lucey
Hi Scott,

I dealt with Dry Ice many years ago and I seem to remember the temperature being in the region of -72 degrees. This is important to remember when selecting personal protective equipment. The operation I was involved in had operators filling containers with dry ice and we issued these operators with visors covering the full face in order to prevent the dry ice coming in contact with skin and again arm length gloves to prevent dry ice reaching the hand or lower arm.

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#4 Posted : 27 January 2006 09:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By TBC
I can't imagine that the possible small amount your going to be handling will pose too much of a problem. After all you are only handling the goods inside which will be quite cold and not the 'cardice' as we used to call it. Yes, face eye protection and hand/arm protection against frost burns. I wouldn't think you would need to take it outside either to remove the items, but if you're throwing away the 'cardice', just leave it outside somewhere safe to evaporate (where nobody can handle it) or in one of those lab extraction exhaust chambers if you have one. This is something that's used on stage for effects in glasses of coloured liquid for that boiling and bubbling effect or for 'low foggy' stage effects.
I'm not minimising the dangers from it - it can burn quite painfully if handled.
Regards
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#5 Posted : 27 January 2006 10:41:00(UTC)
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Posted By Scott d
Hi All,

Thanks for your advice, it has all been very useful.

Just to let you know the final outcome - I have decided to open the container in a very heavily ventilated room using thermal gloves, face shield, protective clothing and a CO2 detecting device which will alarm if dangerous levels of CO2 are present (we currently have devices on site) The packaging will then be removed to a locked mesh storage area we have, seperate to the building.

Having not dealt with dry ice in the past, reading the MSDS was a little alarming, however, I understand that the small quantities we use should not cause a huge problem.

Many Thanks,

Scott
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#6 Posted : 27 January 2006 10:52:00(UTC)
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Posted By Descarte
Note. CO2 is heavier than air. So take care when placing your detector, it aint gonna do much good on the ceiling, and on the floor may give an excessive reading. Head height (working head height) should do the trick.
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#7 Posted : 27 January 2006 16:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Well, head height is where most people do their breathing!

TGIF

Paul
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#8 Posted : 27 January 2006 17:01:00(UTC)
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Posted By TBC
Sorry - My bit earlier should have read -

"going to be handling will 'not' pose too much of a problem. After all you ..............

Regards
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#9 Posted : 27 January 2006 17:03:00(UTC)
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Posted By TBC
I was right first time ..... Is it Friday ?

I'm out of here .............
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#10 Posted : 29 January 2006 21:07:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jack
When I was a kid ice cream was delivered with chunks of dry ice. We seemed to control the risks (even when we put it in glass bottles half filled with water and screwed the stoppers back on!).
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