A further cautionary note on dry ice in the new postal regulations
containers.
Please pass this information to your specimen reception staff.
Yesterday we received in our department a sample packed in dry
ice in a sealed postal container. The base was bowed out due to
pressure in the container. An attempt was made to retrieve the
sample but the pressure was such that it was impossible to
unscrew the lid.
The container blew up. The noise and effects were quite
spectacular.
We are expecting a visit from the HSE tomorrow.
Lesson - if you receive such a package ON NO ACCOUNT try to
remove the sample. (I suspect first instincts are to try to save the
sample).
Our action henceforward will be to put the package in a larger
sealed container, remove the whole to a safety cage and leave it
there until it has blown up.
? Any other suggestions.
The sample had travelled 15 miles in a taxi across the M62 (very
busy in the middle of the day) to reach us. The potential accident
which might have resulted had the container blown up on the back
seat of the taxi does not bear thinking about.
You have been warned ! next time it could be you.
Lynn Turnbull
Lynn Turnbull, QA Manager
Clinical Biochemistry & Immunology
Old Medical School
Leeds General Infirmary
Leeds
LS1 3EX
Phone 0113 392 3947
Fax 0113 233 5672
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