Why Dry Ice is an Important Resource in the Medical Industry
Storage and transportation of biological samples or organs is the major use of dry ice in the medical industry.
Dry ice is a fantastic material. It stays freezing, but it doesn’t melt. Instead, it sublimates into a gas, leaving behind no debris. When the average person thinks about dry ice, they probably imagine fog effects at a party or concert, or maybe they think about keeping food chilled while on a camping or hiking trip. But there’s a whole industry that relies heavily on dry ice: the medical industry. But how do they use it?
Storage and Transportation
Storage and transportation of biological samples or organs is the major use of dry ice in the medical industry. Examples like vaccines or blood work have to be stored at cold temperatures sometimes for long periods, and dry ice is ideal for that. Dry ice is often preferred over a refrigerator because it offers the added benefit of working even during a power failure at a facility — that way the samples won’t be ruined if there’s a storm or natural disaster. Dry is also used in transportation. Regular ice doesn’t stay as cold and eventually melts resulting in water everywhere. If you’re shipping blood, organs, or other temperature-sensitive materials, you need to know that the temperature will be maintained for the whole trip.
Cleaning
The other major medical use for dry ice is in cleaning. Sensitive medical or industrial equipment often can’t be washed with water or caustic chemicals without damaging it. Instead, tiny pellets of dry ice are blasted at a high velocity at the surface, similar to sandblasting. The pellets sublimate from a solid to gas on the surface, removing the contaminants without leaving behind any residue or debris. It is a strong enough cleaning process to meet medical standards, but it doesn’t harm the equipment or use harmful chemicals.
Dry Ice for All of Your Needs
Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our dry ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge amount of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200 or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us onFacebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHEN TRANSPORTING, USING OR STORING DRY ICE! DRY ICE IS HARMFUL IF EATEN OR SWALLOWED! IF INGESTED, SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY! NEVER PUT DRY ICE INTO ANY FOOD, DRINKS OR LIQUIDS THAT MIGHT BE INGESTED BY HUMANS OR ANIMALS!
