Is Dry Ice Environmentally-Friendly?
The components of dry ice are found naturally in the earth’s atmosphere with no toxic waste products.
Dry ice is a common sight in many middle schools and high school science classes. We all donned our safety glasses, sat down at the lab table, and watched the magic of sublimation happen. But we also learn in science class to always be as environmentally conscious as we can. After all, we only have Planet Earth to call home, and it must be preserved for everyone’s health and safety. So what does that mean for dry ice? Although the makeup of dry ice is 100% found in nature, there are certain resources, like oils and fossil fuels, that are finite and can cause environmental damage. Well, you’ll be happy to know that dry ice isn’t this way at all and is completely environmentally friendly! Here’s how dry ice works and why it’s completely fine for the environment.
What is Dry Ice Anyways?
Dry ice is actually the solid form of the gas we breathe out, CO2. It clocks in around -109 degrees Fahrenheit, so it should always be handled with extreme safety. One interesting fact about dry ice is that CO2 actually does not have a liquid form, unlike water. When dry ice comes in contact with air, it starts to immediately turn into a gaseous state in a process called sublimation. Ice also contains no water whatsoever. The name originates from how similar the ice looks to a regular block of water ice, but their molecular makeup is nothing alike.
How it is Environmentally Friendly
CO2 may raise some alarm bells for those who are invested in staying eco-friendly. Isn’t CO2 something that causes environmental harm since it is a greenhouse gas? Well, yes and no. Although CO2 is a greenhouse gas, dry ice is simply a frozen version of the gas that already existed in the air. The ice you use to keep things frozen like vaccines or even to add a cool effect to your holiday punch is not taking any action against the environment. The ice does not add any further CO2 to the environment like the burning of once-long buried fossil fuels, so it is completely environmentally friendly.
However, there is one thing you should know about dry ice: although it is environmentally friendly for the Earth, it is not environmentally friendly inside a home. Dry ice, when sublimated in an enclosed area, can actually cause harm to humans because of the fumes it produces. When using dry ice, always make sure to have a well-ventilated area to avoid fumes.
Dry Ice For All Your Needs
Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our 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 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 on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
