Dry ice can be dangerous when shipping vaccine

Millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are being delivered today, but there could be some problems with transportation

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- As the  U.S. gears up to deliver millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is warning air carriers about the dangers of transporting dry ice.

The new Pfizer vaccine has to be stored at extremely cold temperatures, but dry ice can pose problems while being transported.

It doesn’t melt, but, dry ice moves directly from a solid to a gas, which happens more quickly at higher altitudes.

This can create problems. For example, it could cause an aircraft to weigh less and change its center of gravity–and there are also ventilation issues.

The FAA recommends that pilots wear carbon dioxide detectors and to take caution when ground crews enter the plane.

The risk factor is all dependent on how much dry ice is being carried, how much turns into carbon dioxide gas, and how the ventilation system on the plane is working.

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