I mean really. Death? Tummy ache?
2006-07-06 07:58:36 · 20 answers · asked by Ocram 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Depends on your stomach.
2006-07-06 08:02:28 · answer #1 · answered by worldsbestca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The stuff would swell up inside your GI (gastro-intestinal) tract, possibly causing blockage (super constipation) or if enough made it into your appendix acute appendicitis either directly or by becoming a haven for irritating bacterial infections.
There isn't a whole lot in one of those packets so all of the above isn't terribly likely, but the manufacturers are just covering all the bases to minimize the unlikely, but expensive, possibility of a wrongful death suit.
2006-07-07 08:56:52 · answer #2 · answered by corvis_9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Silica gel is a desiccant. That means that it absorbs moisture - upto 40%. That is the reason why it is put in boxes ranging from shoeboxes to electronics boxes - to prevent moisture from ruining these products.
If you were to swallow a few of these things , they would probably absorb a bit of water.... and that's it. Nothing will probably happen, because silica gel is unreactive and nontoxic in its pebbly form. Unless, they add some type of colored dye to it that changes color when moisture is detected. That could be poisonous.
http://users.adelphia.net/~jthm/
Oh, and remember that Seinfeld episode where Kramer (accidentally) puts a satchet of silica gel in the dip tray, and a lady swallowed it along with her potato chip? It got the Hollywood treatment: she got "real" sick.
http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/seinfeld/
2006-07-06 10:45:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bet nothing that severe would happen. It's just dessicant anyways; you might get a little parched as it absorbed some of your body water, and give you some temporary digestive trouble, but you'd probably be fine.
If it was THAT toxic enough to kill you, do you really think it would be in every shoebox in America? No. They'd put something safer in there for sure, just in case somebody ever did accidentally eat it.
2006-07-06 08:45:11 · answer #4 · answered by shoupart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its silica - it absorbs moisture. So, Id say that you'd end up shrivelling up like a prune....massive dehydration.
2006-07-06 08:02:51 · answer #5 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you would suffocate maybe to death because silica is not poisonous. it just takes in the oxygen so it wouldn't cause you death itself it would be the lack of oxygen
2006-07-06 08:03:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is supposed to be poisonous to the human body. Why don't you just eat it and then tell us what happened? I am sure once you try it, you won't want to do it again.
2006-07-06 08:03:05 · answer #7 · answered by The Prince 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nausia, vomiting, gastrointestinal problems, diarea, and all of those other appealing things that happen when your stomach has something that should be in it.
2006-07-06 08:05:05 · answer #8 · answered by Revelator 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gee... I don't really know... why don't you be dumb enough to eat one and then have your mother post the results on here since you won't be able too.
2006-07-06 08:01:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF YOU DID THAT,YOU WOULD BE THE BEST EXAMPLE OF
"LIVE" COLUMN CHROMATOGRAPHY APPARATUS. AS THAT
SEPARATES ALL CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS BY RESOLVING
THEM BY THEIR CHEMICAL PROPERTIES,ALL THE
CHEMICALS IN YOUR BODY FLUID WILL BE JUST
SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER & YOU'LL HAVE PAIN
ENOUGH TO DECIDE NOT TO CONSUME THESE THINGS
AGAIN, IF BY ANY MEANS YOU ARE NOT DEAD .
2006-07-06 08:43:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋