You can also view previously answered questions in the HSW Question Archive . Answer Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide. The super-cold temperature and the sublimation feature make dry ice great for refrigeration. For example, if you want to send something frozen across the country, you can pack it in dry ice. It will be frozen when it reaches its destination and there will be no messy liquid left over like you would have with normal ice.
Liquid nitrogen is fairly messy and difficult to handle.
If you ever have a chance to handle dry ice, you want to be sure to wear heavy gloves. The super-cold surface temperature can easily damage your skin if you touch it directly. For the same reason you never want to taste or swallow dry ice either. Another important concern with dry ice is ventilation. You want to make sure the area is well-ventilated.