Dry ice shipping instructions
Dry Ice normally comes in 10-inch squares, 2 inches thick weighing about 10 pounds each square. If you can get crushed or cubed dry ice in order to surround the sample with ice, that's ideal:
http://dryiceinfo.com/shipping.htm
Never touch dry ice with your bare skin as it will burn. Always use gloves.
Use 5 to 10 pounds of dry ice for each 24-hour period depending upon the quality of the insulated shipping container. A foam box inside a shipping box like this should work well:
Options for insulated shipping boxes:
Permacool Insulated Foam Shipper Boxed Kit 1.5″ Thick Wall – 11.5″ x 10″ x 9.25″ https://www.amazon.com/Permacool-Insulated-Shipper-Boxed-Thick/dp/B00OD7ROQE
Insulated Foam Shipper Boxed Kit 1.5″ Thick Wall -11.5″ x 10″ x 9.25″ https://www.ebay.com/itm/Insulated-Foam-Shipper-Boxed-Kit-1-5-Thick-Wall-11-5-x-10-x-9-25-Inner-Dim-/272375409913
Shipping prices may vary:
-
UPS ground, flat rate ($25, up to 50lbs) is the most affordable. Maximum container size is 12x12x12 = 1728 cu inches.
Alternatively, if you want it quicker you can upgrade to $45 for 3 days, $61 for 2 days.
Dry ice generally costs around $2/lb.
25lbs dry ice for 5 days = $50.
15lbs dry ice for 3 days = $30.
In order for UPS to ship it out on the same day it will have to be dropped off to UPS before 4:30 PM.
Shipments should be sent on Mondays to avoid weekend delays where the dry ice might run out.
Make sure to avoid shipping near weekends & holidays.
Fresh > Flash freeze (dry ice) > Slow freeze (freezer)
Air exposure will also kill many microbes in the stool. Do not let the stool come into contact with the toilet or any other non-sterile surfaces. The best way to do it is to go directly into a plastic ziplock bag like the one in this picture.
Various squatting positions should be adequate
You can also lean on a wall for support and balance. Flatten the air out before zipping it shut. If you are shipping only 1 sample, either bring it right away to buy dry ice and put it in the dry ice (should be fine at room temp or a insulated lunch bag for 1/2 an hour), or refrigerate (not freeze) until the dry ice is purchased. If you’re shipping multiple samples they’ll probably have to be slow frozen in the regular fridge.
Some recipients may request for the sample to be mixed with saline (salt water – do not use iodized salt) and maltodextrin (antifreeze that protects the microbes from freezing damage). In these cases you could add those to the ziplock bag, zip shut, then mash/mix with your hand from the outside of the bag.
For dry ice:
You can try various web searches for “buy dry ice [your city]”. Example results:
https://www.yellowpages.com/phoenix-az/grocery-stores-that-sell-dry-ice
http://www.city-data.com/forum/phoenix-area/1909502-dry-ice.html
There are some local grocery stores that have it.
This directory could work too to find a close provider: http://www.dryicedirectory.com/world.htm
To create saline:
Add 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt to 2 cups of filtered or distilled water. Or 1/4th teaspoon of salt for 1 cup of water.
Glycerol and Maltodextrin:
Glycerol is a commonly used antifreeze additive, but it’s also a laxative, and therefore problematic for many people. Maltodextrin is a good alternative. It can be bought in bulk online for around $4/lb. You can make a 3:1 ratio mixture of maltodextrin & saline. 3tbls maltodextrin for 1tbls saline. Though depending on the consistency you’re aiming for you might have to adjust that.
Start with adding 1/2 cup saline. Mix with hand from outside of bag. Add enough saline until the mixture is a little runnier than a milkshake. Then add maltodextrin by the tablespoon until the mixture is firm.
Some examples of where to buy maltodextrin:
LD Carlson: https://labelpeelers.com/maltodextrin-1-lb/ $3.42 for 2lbs. $9.25 shipping. $13.
Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=maltodextrin&_sacat=0
2lbs $8 +$6 shipping. $14 https://www.allstarhealth.com/de_p_ref/5621/bing5621/Now_Carbo_Gain_-_Pure_Maltodextrin.htm
5lbs $10 +$8 shipping https://www.morebeer.com/products/maltodextrin-5-lb.html