shipping with dry ice

1

Shipping with Dry Ice

I. Hazard Identification
Dry ice is classified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a “miscellaneous”
hazard, class 9. Dry ice is considered hazardous during transportation for three reasons:

1. Explosion hazard: dry ice releases a large volume of carbon dioxide gas as it
sublimates. If packaged in a container that does not allow for release of the gas, it may
explode, causing personal injury or property damage.
2. Suffocation hazard: a large volume of carbon dioxide gas emitted in a confined space
may create an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
3. Contact hazard: dry ice is a cryogenic material that causes severe frostbite upon
contact with skin.

Packaging dry ice properly will minimize the risk to personnel transporting the material. The
explosion hazard will be eliminated with a package designed to vent gaseous carbon dioxide.
Suffocation and contact hazards will be greatly reduced by labeling the package correctly, so
those who come in contact with it will be aware of the contents.

II. Packaging of Test Samples
Those shipping samples are reminded that all blood samples collected from humans may
contain infectious agents and that safety regulations exist for the transport of biological
samples. These regulations include a requirement for the containment of any spillage. This is
normally accomplished by placing the samples inside at least two sealed containers.

1. Test samples should be stored in 2ml polypropylene, screw cap cryo tubes (eg. Sarstedt
Cat No. 72.694.007).

2. The cryotubes should be placed in a sealable plastic bag.

3. The plastic bag should be placed in a screw cap plastic container.

4. The container should be placed in a polystyrene box containing sufficient dry ice to last
for the transit time (plus an extra 12-24 hours in case of transport delays).

5. The polystyrene box should be placed inside a cardboard box, which can be sealed with
packing tape and clearly labeled with the shipping address and shipper’s details. A
Haemostasis Research Unit, UCL Haematology Dept., assay request form for each sample
date/time should be included inside the cardboard box (but separate from the test samples.

III. Packaging Dry Ice
There are five basic requirements for shipments of dry ice:

1. Gas venting: packages must allow for release of carbon dioxide gas. Dry ice must
never be sealed in a container with an airtight s eal such as a jar with a threaded lid or a
plastic cooler. (RISK OF EXPLOSION!)

2. Package integrity: a package containing dry ice must be of adequate strength for
intended use. It must be strong enough to withstand the loading and unloading