B.C. Teacher Suspended After Dry Ice Classroom Explosion Damages Ceiling
A teacher in British Columbia's southeast Kootenays has been disciplined following a classroom incident involving dry ice that resulted in a small explosion, leaving a hole in the ceiling. The teacher, David William Popoff, allowed sixth-grade and kindergarten students to handle dry ice without proper safety equipment or adequate supervision, according to regulatory findings.
Regulatory Action and Safety Violations
Popoff, a Grade 6 teacher, received a 10-day suspension of his teaching certificate from the school district. Additionally, the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation imposed a further two-day suspension scheduled for June. The incident, which occurred in October 2024, involved Popoff bringing dry ice—the solid, frozen form of carbon dioxide—into the classroom without school permission.
The regulator stated that Popoff failed to follow essential safety guidelines, which mandate the use of gloves, safety glasses, protective clothing, and adequate ventilation when handling dry ice. In one demonstration, Popoff told Grade 6 students they could handle the ice with their bare hands, despite its extreme cold that can cause cold burns or frostbite.
Details of the Explosion and Aftermath
During the activity, students were divided into mixed-age groups with cups or containers of dry ice. Popoff briefly left the room, leaving an education assistant in charge. According to a consent resolution agreement, one student placed dry ice in a water bottle and closed the lid, causing it to explode upward into a ceiling tile.
- The explosion created a hole in the ceiling tile and scattered shards around the room.
- Some students and the education assistant got wet from the incident, and several students were frightened, though no injuries were reported.
When questioned by the district, Popoff appeared unremorseful, downplaying safety concerns and blaming the student for the explosion. He indicated he would not change his approach if teaching the same lesson again, though acknowledged he might feel differently if someone had been hurt.
Additional Misconduct and Regulatory Response
The regulator noted that Popoff, in a separate incident the day before the explosion, handled dry ice with his bare hands and even put it in his mouth during a class demonstration. In the consent agreement, Popoff admitted his conduct constituted professional misconduct.
Commissioner Donnaree Nygard, who issued the two-day suspension, stated that Popoff "created an unsafe environment" by failing to follow safety guidelines and demonstrated "inadequate regard for students’ developmental maturity and emotional and physical safety." The suspension is set to take effect on June 17 and 18.
This case highlights critical issues in classroom safety protocols and the importance of proper supervision during science demonstrations, particularly with hazardous materials like dry ice.
