The original post is decades old, but since it came up ...
The flaw of this premise that dry ice is dangerous is the apparent confusion between the effects of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Hold your breath as long as you can until panic starts to set in. That feeling is not due to a lack of oxygen, as most people believe. It is due to an increase in CO2 in your bloodstream. The body is very sensitive to increased CO2. It is the fundamental drive that tells (forces) us to breathe. An environment high in CO2 is not the silent killer. It will not sneak up on you and kill you. The body's alarm systems go off more strongly in response to high CO2 than pretty much any other condition except maybe extreme pain.
CO, on the other hand, is dangerous because it binds with hemoglobin and interferes with gas exchange, causing hypoxia (low oxygen). But, since CO2 levels do not rise, the body's alarm system is not activated.
The OP is not the first person to make this mistake. But, in short, no your ice box will not kill you - even it wanted to. I don't think this was any different in 2000, when the post was made.
But, if it did, you should ask yourself what you did to make it hate you so much.
The flaw of this premise that dry ice is dangerous is the apparent confusion between the effects of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Hold your breath as long as you can until panic starts to set in. That feeling is not due to a lack of oxygen, as most people believe. It is due to an increase in CO2 in your bloodstream. The body is very sensitive to increased CO2. It is the fundamental drive that tells (forces) us to breathe. An environment high in CO2 is not the silent killer. It will not sneak up on you and kill you. The body's alarm systems go off more strongly in response to high CO2 than pretty much any other condition except maybe extreme pain.
CO, on the other hand, is dangerous because it binds with hemoglobin and interferes with gas exchange, causing hypoxia (low oxygen). But, since CO2 levels do not rise, the body's alarm system is not activated.
The OP is not the first person to make this mistake. But, in short, no your ice box will not kill you - even it wanted to. I don't think this was any different in 2000, when the post was made.
But, if it did, you should ask yourself what you did to make it hate you so much.
One of the best features of Tally Ho is her fridge…it keeps my 12 or so cans of beer, grape jelly, ham, cheese, water, eggs and other sundry “must haves” very cold!!
My old boat only had an ice box, and I hated bringing ice to the boat…and the beer was never cold.
If the fridge ever breaks down, I may have to sell her ;-)
Greg
My old boat only had an ice box, and I hated bringing ice to the boat…and the beer was never cold.
If the fridge ever breaks down, I may have to sell her ;-)
Greg
Funny how this thread got revived. I just listened to this podcast about a leak in a CO2 pipeline. Nobody died, but narrowly.
Takeaway: CO2 plays for keeps, especially when you aren't prepared.
Takeaway: CO2 plays for keeps, especially when you aren't prepared.
Since this thread is resurrected, let's be really clear. This is not a real danger. There are too many things wrong with the original post to bother breaking it down. If there is anyone on this (old) thread that does think this might be real, I can tell you why it is not. But, my assumption is that folks understand it is not real.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - MN Dept. of Health
Carbon Monoxide (CO) versus Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
This page only gives a very rough overview of the hazards of CO2.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) versus Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
-Will