News Excerpt:
Five people started vomiting and complained of cuts on their tongues after eating dry ice being served as a mouth freshener in a restaurant in Gurugram.

Dry Ice: 

• Dry Ice is the common name for solid carbon dioxide (CO2).
• It is formed by cooling and condensing carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. 
• It was discovered in the early 1900s and began commercial production in the 1920s.
• Unlike regular ice, it doesn’t melt into a liquid as it warms up. 
• It converts directly back into its gaseous form in a process known as sublimation.
• At -78° C, dry ice is also significantly colder than the 0° C surface temperature of regular ice.

What happens on contact with Dry Ice:

• According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), dry ice is categorised as a lethal substance.
• If touched or ingested, it can cause severe damage to the skin and internal organs.
• If it is not handled with care, it can cause respiratory problems since it releases carbon dioxide.
• Exposure leads to burns, ulcers in the mouth and stomach and frostbite (since dry ice is a coolant).
• It can cause vomiting and once it comes in contact with the mouth, a person can throw up blood and experience breathlessness.
• Dry ice hazards can also lead to asphyxiation, the state of being deprived of oxygen. 

Uses of Dry Ice:

• Serves various purposes across industries such as medical, food and beverage, and research. 
• Used by restaurants for a dramatic effect while serving dishes. 
• Used in the entertainment industry, for creating special effects.
• Used in shipping products in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
• With a surface temperature of -78 degrees Celsius, dry ice helps keep products frozen during transportation. 
• As it does not melt, it keeps goods free from moisture. 

What Is the Difference Between Dry Ice and Liquid Nitrogen?

• Liquid nitrogen is much colder than dry ice which also makes it more dangerous to handle. 
• Because it’s a liquid and not a solid, it’s also more challenging to work with.
• Liquid nitrogen is commonly used as a refrigerant due to its very low temperature.