What Is Dry Ice and Why Can It Be Dangerous?
🧊 Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide and is extremely cold, around −110°F (−78°C). Because of its extreme temperature, direct contact with dry ice can quickly cause frostbite-like injuries to the skin or mouth.
If you need to handle dry ice, use protective tools such as metal tongs or an oven mitt, and handle it only in well-ventilated areas to avoid carbon dioxide buildup. Watch the video to learn more about dry ice safety, and remember you can call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 for fast, free, and confidential advice.
Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: A title card reads “Dry ice safety tips for Halloween” over a cauldron of steaming dry ice. The Missouri Poison Center logo is in the bottom right corner.
Visual: Person 1, a man in a blue t-shirt, holds an orange patterned mug to his face and inhales deeply with his eyes closed.
Sound: Glass breaking.
Visual: Person 2, a man in a shaggy blond wig, sunglasses, and a black jacket, suddenly appears and shouts aggressively.
Sound: Loud, startling musical sting.
Person 2: What exactly is dry ice? And why is it dangerous?!
Visual: Close-up of steaming dry ice being stirred with a metal rod.
Person 1: Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide.
Visual: A hand with red fingernails reaches for an ornate silver lamp with dry ice smoke billowing from it.
Person 1: Dry ice is extremely cold, usually around -110 degrees Celsius.
Visual: Person 1 is now in a soundproofed recording studio, wearing a blue t-shirt with “#PoisonPrevention” in a yellow block on it.
Person 1: Ever tried to drink a soda with ice cubes that were -110 degrees Celsius? Do you like frostbite in your mouth?
Person 1: That’s a weird way to ask a question, man.
Person 2: I find it gets me answers pretty quickly.
Person 1: You got a good point.
Person 2: Can I touch dry ice with my hands?!
Sound: Screams.
Visual: A coupe glass filled with a red cocktail sits on a table, with dry ice smoke swirling around its base.
Person 1: Use metal tongs or an oven mitt to handle dry ice, not your hands.
Visual: A teacher and several students in white lab coats and safety goggles gather around a science experiment with dry ice.
Person 1: And only use dry ice in a well-ventilated area.
Person 2: What if I need to dispose of it?!
Person 1: We’ve got a whole other video on that.
Person 2: Tell me what I want to know!
Sound: Loud yell.
Visual: A white screen appears with the Missouri Poison Center logo and phone number, 1-800-222-1222. The text “Open 24/7!” is stamped on.
Person 1: For any questions or concerns about dry ice, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Visual: The text changes to “There’s always an expert standing by that’s ready to consult on evaluation and management.”
Person 1: We’re open 24/7, 365 to answer your questions.
Visual: Person 1 and Person 2 are now both in the kitchen. Person 2 holds a matching orange patterned mug and takes a sip, looking much calmer.
Person 2: Pumpkin spice always calms me down.
Person 1: It’s nice, isn’t it?
Person 2: Yeah.
Person 1: Yeah.
