07 Sep 3 Tips to Ensure a Safe Environment During the Dry Ice Blasting Process

There are three main types of hazards or contaminants that can cause unsafe food: Biological, chemical, and physical. Biological includes microorganisms; chemical includes cleaning solvents and pest control; and physical means hair, dirt, or other matter. Dry ice blasting is one of the few cleaning methods that’s effective and efficient in many industry sectors and applications. Dry ice blasting services require the use of air compressed between 80 and 90 PSI to blast pellets of dry ice at a high velocity to clean a variety of surfaces.
But before you rent your own ice blasting equipment and complete the process yourself, it’s important to be aware of some common tips that can help you stay safe. Here are some basic safety tips to keep in mind when utilizing equipment used in dry ice blasting services.

Suit Up

Dry ice blasting is 100% ecologically safe, but it’s still best to wear some basic safety gear. It doesn’t have to be anything substantial or fancy, but keep in mind that the carbon dioxide used in the process can cause issues during prolonged exposure. When briefly exposed to the skin, dry ice is unlikely to cause injury, but for maximum protection, it’s still best to wear full-body protective gear.

Store Equipment Properly

Dry ice is extremely cold (-109 degrees Fahrenheit) and when exposed to warmer temperatures, it instantly changes from a solid into a gas. If you don’t store your dry ice properly, it will evaporate and cost you time and money. Make sure to store it at the proper temperature.

Ventilate Dry Ice Blasting Areas

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that even though it’s generally harmless, carbon dioxide is 40% heavier than the air we breathe and may change atmospheric conditions if dry ice blasting area is poorly ventilated. For this reason, it’s imperative to make sure your lungs are getting enough oxygen during the process by keeping the dry ice blasting areas as ventilated as possible: open windows, use fans and do anything you can to circulate the air efficiently and prevent buildup.

Ultimately, dry ice blasting is typically a service best left to professionals. For more information about dry ice blasting services, contact Mammoth Dry Ice.