Remove the Silica Gel Hydrosorbent from its protective packaging. Position the unit on an exposed surface anywhere within the closed area to be protected. For the 200, 450 and 900 gram units, be sure that the end containing the indicator card is on the bottom so that the active ingredients rest on the indicator card. Examine the indicator card from time to time. When the indicator changes from blue to pink, follow the reactivation instructions listed below and included with the unit. After reactivation is complete and the unit is cool enough to handle, return it to the enclosed space. If you leave the unit out in the open, it will rapidly adsorb moisture from the surrounding air. Please note: When you first use the silica gel in the area to be protected, it may become saturated rather quickly as it “drinks up” residual moisture. Once the residual dampness is removed, you can maintain a dry condition with less frequent need to reactivate the Silica Gel.
Orange silica gel can be reactivated in an oven for re-use. This material is not classified as hazardous waste under EEC Directive 91/689/EEC Dispose of in accordance with all applicable local and national regulations. This material is not classified as special waste under UK Special Waste Regulations 1996 and can be disposed of by landfill at an approved site.

The lethal dose for humans for synthetic amorphous silica is estimated at over 15,000mg/kg. Health Effects Inhalation Synthetic amorphous silica gel has little adverse effect on lungs and does not produce significant disease or toxic effect when exposure is kept below the permitted limits. However existing medical conditions (eg asthma, bronchitis) may be aggravated by exposure to dust. Effects of dust may be greater, and occur at lower levels of exposure in smokers compared to non-smokers. Eye Contact Dust may cause discomfort and mild irritation. Skin Contact Dust may have a drying effect on the skin. Carcinogenicity Amorphous silica is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).

Silica gel classified by the FDA as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) product, however,all packets of clear silica gel carry a warning label or hazard symbol. Although technically non-toxic, silica gel’s moisture-absorption properties can cause mild nausea, constipation and vomiting if ingested. Most poison control centers do not consider ingestion of clear silica gel to be an emergency. A second type of silica gel is called “indicator” gel because of its ability to change color when exposed to moisture such as blue silica gel, orange silica gel. Indicator gel dyed blue using cobalt chloride, a toxic chemical believed to be carcinogenic and cause respiratory irritation, turns pink when exposed to moisture. If ingested, poison control or 911 should be called and informed of the ingestion of cobalt chloride.

Silica gel ingested through the eating of a packet or the eating of “clumping” cat litter will most likely cause a gastrointestinal upset that could include nausea and vomiting. Consumed in large doses or repeatedly over time, silica gel can cause intestinal blockage.