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by Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH on September 13th, 2007
Most of your silica gel packets contents are fairly harmless, but if you'll open it up, some of the crystals are a little different:
The blue form is cobaltous chloride dihydrate. The pink form is cobaltous chloride hexahydrate, [CoCl2(H2O)4].2H2O. When the dihydrate is exposed to water or moist air, it forms the pink hexahydrate, When the hexahydrate is heated, it loses four molecules of water, making the blue dihydrate.
Upon ever more research I found the following information on cobalt chloride
WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN OR RESPIRATORY REACTION. CHRONIC EXPOSURE MAY AFFECT THYROID, LUNGS, HEART, AND KIDNEYS.
(from http://chrisp.orcon.net.nz/ )
Furthermore, some of those packets can contain pesticides and other chemicals if they were not packaged with a food product and are not required to be food grade silica.
by APACHEmeansENEMY on September 13th, 2007
Im not sure...silica gel itself is non toxic to humans...there may be other additives in the packets, however.
by c h e l s e a m o n s t e r on May 10th, 2008
the longest word I know of- pneumenultramicroscopicsilicavolcanoconiosis (not spelt right) is a disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust. If inhaling it is that bad, I'm sure ingesting it can't be very good for you either.
by arcarocket on October 24th, 2007
Most Silica Gel are non-toxic, but for the indicating silica gel they do add toxic chemicals. This silica is usually blue in color.
So as long as your dealing with the white/clear silica gel it will be non-toxic.
by arcarocket on October 24th, 2007
Most Silica Gel are non-toxic, but for the indicating silica gel they do add toxic chemicals. This silica is usually blue in color.
So as long as your dealing with the white/clear silica gel it will be non-toxic.
by L Anon has a Blank spot in her heart on September 13th, 2007
Since they are used to absorb moisture I would be afraid I'd dry up like a prude.. I mean prune.
It looks like the real chemical chemical answers have been done. ;D
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Comments
hi - someone told me that eating one of those little balls could kill you - is that wrong?
by Pumby umby umpkin Est. 1989 on January 14th, 2008
Not necessarily - but they usually only kill you if you happen to have a severe allergic reaction to something they contain. The silica itself is not the issue, but the other pesticides or preservatives which can be in the packets too.
by Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH on January 14th, 2008