What Happens If You Eat Silica Gel?

Quick Answer

Introduction

Silica gel – those tiny packets you find in a new purse, shoebox, or bottle of vitamins that you often throw away without much thought. But have you ever stopped to ponder **why** they’re there and what would happen if someone accidentally (or curiously) ate one? Well, consider this your official deep dive on the topic.

Overview of Silica Gel

Silica gel is a desiccant – a substance that absorbs and holds water vapor. Its primary role in packaging is to keep our goods dry and free from damage. The ubiquitous “Do Not Eat” warning stems not from its toxicity but from the potential choking hazard and to deter ingestion of non-food items.

Toxicity of Silica Gel

Transparent silica gel

Transparent silica gel is generally non-toxic. It is an absorbent substance or a transparent or milky white granular solid, the main component of which is silica, chemically stable, non-toxic and odourless. It will not react with any substance other than strong alkali or hydrofluoric acid.

Blue silica gel

This silica gel is toxic. Its main component is cobalt chloride, which has strong toxicity and is harmful to health.

Blue silica gel desiccant has strong adsorption effect on water vapour in the air, and at the same time, it can show different colours through the change of the quantity of crystalline water of cobalt chloride contained, that is, the blue colour before absorbing moisture is gradually changed into light red with the increase of the quantity of absorbing moisture. Due to the beautiful colours and shapes of silica gel, it is often eaten by children by mistake. Misuse may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and other symptoms; large amounts of intake may also cause acute poisoning, resulting in blood, thyroid and pancreatic damage. In addition, its dust is irritating to the respiratory tract, long-term inhalation may cause serious lung disease, eye irritation, long-term exposure may lead to eye damage, skin sensitisation, may cause dermatitis.

Orange silica gel

Orange silica gel desiccant is also known as “cobalt-free colour-changing silica gel”, which is a non-toxic, odourless and non-corrosive product, and will not harm the human body. The silica gel desiccant has passed the U.S. FDA certification, and can be directly contacted with food and medicine, so it is usually widely used in food, medicine, health care products and other products with high safety requirements.

What Happens If You Eat Silica Gel?

Immediate Physical Reactions

Upon eating silica gel, you might notice your mouth and throat getting dry. Some may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea or bloating. If any more severe symptoms arise, such as continuous vomiting or difficulty breathing, contacting a doctor or Poison Control is crucial.

Potential Health Implications

For most, accidentally eating a small amount of silica gel once won’t leave lasting effects. However, the story changes with large amounts or the potentially toxic blue silica gel. Concerningly, children and pets, curious and less discerning, may face higher risks due to smaller body sizes and potential for larger relative dosages.

Will stomach acid dissolve silica gel desiccant?

Stomach acid will not dissolve silica gel desiccant. The main component of silica gel desiccant is silicon dioxide, which is chemically stable and not easy to react with acid. Therefore, even if silica gel desiccant is mistakenly consumed, stomach acid will not dissolve it. If a small amount of silica gel desiccant is consumed, it will usually be diluted by the food residues in the stomach and gastric juices and excreted with faeces without causing serious effects.

Why does consuming too much of it cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other adverse effects?

Consuming too much silica gel desiccant can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and other adverse consequences, mainly because silica gel desiccant will expand after absorbing water, which may cause irritation and damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. When silica gel desiccant enters the body, it begins to absorb water in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in volume expansion. This expansion may cause pressure on the gastric mucosa, triggering symptoms of nausea and vomiting. At the same time, the presence of silica gel desiccant in the gastrointestinal tract may also interfere with the normal digestive process, causing digestive discomforts such as diarrhoea.

How desiccants are eliminated from the body？

Silica gel desiccant will not be absorbed by the body under normal circumstances and will be excreted in the faeces, which means you will poop it out, but if consumed in excessive amounts, it may cause serious problems such as intestinal obstruction. Intestinal obstruction refers to the blockage of a part of the intestinal tract, resulting in the inability of the contents to pass through normally, which may trigger a series of symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation.

• Stop ingestion: Discard the remaining desiccant immediately to avoid further accidental ingestion.
• Observe symptoms: Watch yourself closely for special reactions such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. If there are no such symptoms, no special treatment is generally required.
• Drink more water: Drinking more water can help speed up the expulsion of silica gel desiccant in the body and avoid it staying in the body for too long.
• Eat fibre-rich food: Eat more food rich in dietary fibre, such as vegetables, fruits, etc. These foods help to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis so that the silica gel desiccant can be discharged from the body more quickly.
• Call to the doctor or Poison Control: If the symptoms are more serious, please seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Doctors will give appropriate treatment and advice to ensure the health and safety of the body.

Preventing Accidental Ingestion

Educational Measures

Awareness is crucial. Educate all household members, especially kids, about the potential risks of silica gel and similar substances. Emphasize that not everything found in packaging is safe to consume.

Safe Storage Practices

Discard silica gel packets responsibly to avoid accidental encounters. Keep them away from food and medicine areas and follow best practices for disposing them or recycling, if applicable.

Responsibilities of Manufacturers

Enhancing packaging safety and clearer risk communication can significantly reduce accidental ingestions. Innovations in package design to make silica gel packets less appealing or more difficult to open by children could also be beneficial.

Eating silica gel isn’t typically a cause for alarm, but it’s not something to take lightly either. Awareness, immediate action, and prevention can help protect you and your loved ones from potential harm. Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

FAQs

1. What should I do if my child eats silica gel?

    Monitor for symptoms, but rest assured that in small amounts, it’s usually not harmful. Contact a healthcare professional for peace of mind.

2. Is there any silica gel that is safe to ingest under any circumstances?

    No, silica gel is not designed for ingestion. It’s best to keep it out of your mouth.

3.*How does silica gel work, and why is it used in packaging?

    Silica gel absorbs moisture, keeping products dry and protected.

4. Can pets be harmed by silica gel, and what precautions should I take?

    Keep silica gel away from pets. If ingested, watch for symptoms, and consult your vet if you’re concerned.

5. Are there any environmentally friendly alternatives to silica gel for moisture control?

    Yes, alternatives like clay desiccants and recycled paper products offer sustainable options for moisture control.