The cleaning industry is massive: it generates more than $168 billion in worldwide revenue every year, and there are always new developments being made throughout the industry. And now that there’s an increased focus on going green, more natural cleaning alternatives are hitting the market.
Fortunately, utilizing natural materials doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on effectiveness. Big companies and families alike are seeking out alternative solutions such as steam cleaning systems and dry ice blasting. Dry ice blasting, also known as carbon dioxide blasting or CO2 blasting, is a relatively new method that’s catching on in big ways. Carbon dioxide blasting is able to remove tough materials like paint, grease, ink, dirt, adhesives, and more without doing damage to the underlying surface. Plus, it’s even more effective at removing organic matter like mildew, mold, and algae than traditional, chemical-based cleaning options.
The big point to remember about carbon dioxide blasting is that, while it’s effective, you do need to take extra safety precautions before, during, and after use. To that end, here are six important safety tips to follow when using dry ice blasting equipment for your cleaning needs:
- Use in a well-ventilated area
Adequate ventilation is key when using dry ice blasting. While the amount of CO2 in our normal air supply is 0.035%, carbon dioxide blasting can raise this amount if not performed in an area with proper ventilation. With good ventilation, CO2 levels during blast cleaning will not rise to dangerous levels. But if dry ice has been kept in a closed vehicle or room for more than 10 minutes, you need to air out the room by opening doors and windows before entering. Make sure that you and your blasting contractors provide additional ventilation for any projects and that everyone on site is well-versed in the potential hazards of CO2 exposure. - Wear protective gear
Dry ice is colder than we can fathom. At -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit, prolonged skin contact can result in a serious burn. Although brief contact is not likely to cause damage, you should always wear protective clothing like leather gloves and keep skin covered. - Store properly
You should store dry ice in a well-insulated container. Thicker insulation is better for slowing the rate of sublimation. However, this container should not be airtight. Storing CO2 in an airtight container could cause the container to expand or even explode. - Be careful where you put it down
Though dry ice blasting is great for removal of materials that you often find in kitchens and bathrooms, you don’t want to set it down on the floor or on the counter. Because of its extremely cold temperature, dry ice can easily crack tile floors and solid surface countertops. Although setting dry ice blasting equipment down on a tile floor won’t do any harm, just make sure the material isn’t absentmindedly placed there. - Know how to sublimate
When the project is done, dry ice needs to be disposed of in a specific way. It needs to be unwrapped (if applicable) and left at room temperature to sublimate into its gaseous form. It will then be absorbed into the atmosphere. It should be kept in a room where no one will mistakenly touch it — but make sure the room has proper ventilation. - Always supervise during use
Above all, everyone in the area must be properly supervised while dry ice blasting is occurring. Monitor yourself and those around you for signs of too much CO2. If someone has breathed in too much carbon dioxide, he or she may experience shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, or blue lips and fingernails. Make sure that no one directly touches the dry ice materials or operates machinery without proper training.
If you follow these safety tips, your experience with dry ice blasting should be nothing but positive! To find out more about CO2 blasting systems, contact us today.