Summer temperatures in Arizona routinely hover around 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and can often get much hotter. This presents unique challenges for companies that must ship temperature-sensitive cargo like medical samples, pharmaceuticals, and consumable products. Some extra precautions are needed to ensure the integrity of these shipments.
Choosing Insulated Shipping Containers
Insulated shipping containers are a must when transporting temperature-sensitive products. These are available in various sizes. When choosing a size, be sure to account for the bulk of inner packaging materials. An insulated shipping cooler is typically made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam or rigid polyurethane foam. The foam walls should be at least 1.5 inches thick. The cooler houses the product cartons, and is itself housed within a stronger outer carton that protects the insulating foam.
Shipping with Gel Coolants
You can maintain a refrigerated temperature range by shipping items with gel coolants. Gel coolants are ideal because they are self-contained and, if sufficient amounts of gel packets are used, they can maintain the temperature range for 72 hours. As a general rule of thumb, use one pound of gel coolants for each cubic foot per 24 hours of shipping time.
Shipping with Dry Ice
Shipping with dry ice is the most common way to preserve frozen items in transit. Dry ice is considered a dangerous material when shipping by air, so be aware of any additional restrictions. Do not allow the dry ice to come into direct contact with the products, and always wear gloves to handle dry ice. Place the dry ice on the bottom of the cooler, followed by the products. Fill in gaps with packing materials to get a tight fit. Do not hermetically seal a shipping container that has dry ice, as the carbon dioxide emitted by the dry ice needs to escape.
You can count on Xcel Delivery Services for custom-tailored, rapid delivery solutions. We work closely with healthcare companies to ensure the proper delivery of temperature-sensitive shipments, including medical samples. For more information, call our office in Tucson at (520) 355-4897.
