What Is the Purpose of Gel Silica Packets?

Silicon Dioxide

• Silica gel is not a gel at all, but a bead-like form of the mineral silicon dioxide. This substance occurs in nature as sand or crystal, but it is manufactured into beads and usually inserted into white packets. It is inert and relatively harmless if ingested, despite the packets usually being covered in warnings such as "DO NOT EAT." Silica gel is pervasive in storage and shipping due to its ability to attract and retain moisture.

Desiccant

• Silica gel is a desiccant, which means it is a substance that is highly porous and able to absorb water. It can retain up to 40 percent of its weight, making it an ideal addition to any package or case that might be vulnerable to moisture. Rather than moisture gathering on the electronic equipment or new pair of shoes, it is attracted to and absorbed by the silica gel.

Toxicity Issues

• Silica gel itself is not toxic, but it is sometimes manufactured with the addition of the moisture indicator cobalt chloride. This toxic substance turns pink when it is hydrated, allowing manufacturers to observe the levels of moisture present in a package or substance. Ingesting silica gel that has been mixed with cobalt chloride can cause illness and vomiting, hence the "DO NOT EAT" warnings seen on many packets. Additionally, the packets pose a choking hazard to small children.

Reuses

• While recycling silica gel packets can be difficult, there are ways to repurpose them for household use. They can continue to act as a desiccant in boxes storing important documents or photographs. When electronics become wet, they can be dried out in tubs or bowls of silica gel packets (just leave them powered off). Even keeping silica gel packets in the car can help stave off foggy windows by absorbing the moisture or humidity.