What is silica gel and why do the little packets it comes in always tell me to throw it away?

Question

Also says to not eat it, so what is the point?

Answer 1

they are used to draw the moisture out of the air and keep things dry.

they tell people not to eat it because they don't want to get sued by stupid people.

Answer 2

Silica gel is a hygroscopic material which is used in chemical industries for the purpose of absorbing moisture from the final product at various stages of operation . It is also used in refrigeration units for the same purposes.
Silica gel is a granular, porous form of silica made synthetically from sodium silicate. Despite the name, silica gel is a solid.

Silica gel is most commonly encountered in everyday life as beads packed in a semi-permeable plastic. In this form, it is used as a desiccant to control local humidity in order to avoid spoilage. Because of poisonous dopants, silica gel packets usually bear warnings for the user not to eat the contents, but to throw them away instead.

Alone, silica gel is non-toxic, non-flammable and chemically unreactive. However, some of the beads may be doped with a moisture indicator, such as cobalt (II) chloride, which is carcinogenic. Cobalt (II) chloride is deep blue when dry (anhydrous) and pink when moist (hydrated). This is the reason most silica gel packets are labeled as dangerous or poisonous when eaten.

Crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis but synthetic amorphous silica, which is what silica gel is, does not cause silicosis. A chemically similar substance with far greater porosity is aerogel.

Silica gel prevents these moisture related problems before they begin. (Manufacturers know this. That's why they often include a small packet of silica gel in shipments of new guns, cameras, electronics, leather goods, pharmaceutics, etc.)
Silica gel creates a protective shield of dry air within any enclosed storage area.

pl. visit:
http://www.dehumidify.com/FAQ.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica_gel

Answer 3

These little packets are usually found in new handbags for example. The silica gel absorbs moisture and humidity to prevent your purchase from absorbing the water and being ruined.

It says not to eat it because it is poisonous. Some people may be tempted to eat it if not forewarned because the small beads of silica look similar to sweets.

Answer 4

We used to use silica gel in bulk - about 5kgs in wire mesh trays. Once the gel had absorbed moisture it was dried out at a high temperature in a 'Hedin' oven.
You could dry out the little packets in a normal oven if you can find a purpose for them.
RoyS

Answer 5

Silica gel is a granular, porous form of silica made synthetically from sodium silicate. Despite the name, silica gel is a solid.

Silica gel is most commonly encountered in everyday life as beads packed in a semi-permeable plastic. In this form, it is used as a desiccant to control local humidity in order to avoid spoilage. Because of poisonous dopants, silica gel packets usually bear warnings for the user not to eat the contents, but to throw them away instead.

Answer 6

They are for attracting any humidity in a package etc. so the goods do not get damaged by humidly caused by condensation while travelling DO NOT EAT THEM even for a test as it could be very dangerous

Answer 7

the above answers are correct but try busting one of those packets open and throwing them at a hard floor. they bounce loads. do not do this with your mouth open in case you swallow one and i'm blamed for poisoning you

Answer 8

its to keep things from going damp ie i bought a hand bag it had one in it so i think thats what its for

Answer 9

it absorbs moisture so the thing you bought doesn't.

Answer 10

are you serious??? why don't you eat one and then tell us about it???

they absorb moisture and they are poisonous!