Carbon Dioxide is a non-flammable, colorless, odorless gas with an acidic taste.
Atmospheric air contains only 0.03% of Carbon Dioxide, so it is not a commercially feasible source; rather, numerous manufacturing processes furnish by-product streams from which carbon dioxide may be obtained, such as the combustion of coal and natural gas.

Carbon Dioxide is used to carbonate soft drinks, freeze and process food, and acts as a shielding gas in the arc welding process. It is also used extensively to fill fire extinguishers.