We are taking appropriate measures to reduce the risk of explosion of cryotubes.
However, there remains a possibility that cryotubes explode.
Therefore, please always wear a face guard and protective gloves when handling frozen cryotubes.
Glass ampules:
We always check cracks or pinholes in all glass ampules before shipping.
However, there remains a possibility that cryotubes explode.
One of the possible causes is a pinhole that we cannot detect by our inspection steps. Liquid nitrogen can come into cryotubes through such a pinhole. When thawing the cells, liquid nitrogen inside cryotubes expands drastically and results in explosion of cryotubes.
We urge all users to wear a face guard and protective gloves, when taking out cryotubes from a preservation tank. Please check inside the cryotubes whether liquid nitrogen is present.
An example of explosion:
Put a glass ampule into a 15 mL tube (an outer tube for protection of ampule) on dry ice during shipping procedure.
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Close the outer lid (styrofoam).
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Explosion of a glass ampule resulted in a rupture of 15 mL outer tube.
Plastic tubes:
We always preserve plastic cryotubes in the vapor-phase of liquid nitrogen tanks, and we always ensure that the caps are tightly fastened before shipping.
We have received reports from some users regarding explosion of plastic cryotubes.
Of note, plastic cryotubes must be preserved in the vapor-phase of liquid nitrogen tank. Otherwise, liquid nitrogen can come into cryotubes, since screw caps are never air-tight.
In addition, it is strongly recommended to perform the following step.
Before thawing the cells, loosen the cap of the plastic cryotubes 1/4 turn in a safety cabinet to release the pressure inside and then re-tighten the cap.
An example of explosion:
Took out a plastic cryotube out of liquid nitrogen tank for thawing the cells.
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Placed the plastic cryotube on dry ice, and then explosion occurred (Photo provided by a user).
