It is indigestible and goes through the body, looking exactly as it did when it entered. It’s used in everything from museum display cases to electrical equipment packing to seaweed boxes, in part because it’s an inert, nontoxic chemical that’s practically harmless, despite the warnings. It usually takes the form of beads wrapped in a porous package. It has been frequently used as a desiccant, placed inside containers to keep the contents from becoming moist, since at least the mid-twentieth century. Its porousness, which allows it to absorb up to 40% of its weight in water, is its most prominent feature. Silica gel is a type of silicon dioxide, a naturally occurring mineral that is more often known as sand or quartz in crystal form. What happens if moisture absorber is consumed? Stomach pains and a difficulty to pass gas or stool could be signs of an intestinal obstruction produced by the silica gel packet. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should get medical help: What if you consume the do not eat packet wrapped in seaweed?ĭehydration from silica gel use can cause irritation of the throat and nose, as well as stomach discomfort, vomiting, constipation, and nausea.
The absorbent materials should only be used in ‘extraordinary’ circumstances, according to a warning circulated throughout the health service. Patients mostly confused or vulnerable people were alleged to have sprinkled the gel on their food like salt or eaten it from urine bottles or drinking beakers, according to reports.īetween 20, fifteen deaths from the same cause were reported, prompting a warning to hospitals about the risks. Since 2017, two persons have died as a result of accidentally swallowing packets of moisture-absorbing pellets. How many individuals have died as a result of silica gel consumption?īecause patients have died after ingesting absorbent gel granules, the NHS has advised hospitals to avoid using them. 1-80 is the toll-free number for any toxic emergency in the United States. As a result, if you swallow a “do not consume” packet, experts advise phoning a poison control center simply to be safe. What happens if you eat the bag that says “do not eat”?Īlthough swallowing a significant amount at once is not dangerous, it can produce nausea and vomiting.
Poisoning is unlikely unless a huge dog ingested multiple oxygen absorbers or ingested exceptionally large ones. The most serious cases of iron poisoning from oxygen absorbers reported to Pet Poison Helpline have been in tiny dogs (less than 15 pounds). Severe metabolic acidosis, shock, and liver toxicity can develop one to five days after exposure if the dose is significant enough to cause poisoning. In fact, vomiting is such a typical occurrence that if a dog does not vomit, a toxic dose was most likely not swallowed.
One of the first indicators of poisoning is vomiting (with or without blood) after intake. 2 It also irritates the gastrointestinal tract and has corrosive effects on the body directly. What is the significance of the “do not consume” label? Even in the little amounts contained in one oxygen absorber package, elemental iron can cause severe poisoning. Because this material is magnetic, it’s easy to tell which packages contain iron and which have silica gel or charcoal. Dark brown or rust-colored substance can be seen if the oxygen absorber is broken open. 1 Oxygen absorber packets are normally 1 inch by 1 inch in size and are commonly seen in packages of beef jerky, pepperoni, dried fruits, dog jerky treats, and other similar products. This helps to keep the food fresh by preventing oxidation (rancidity). What exactly is it? To absorb extra oxygen, elemental iron grains are packed in little packets called oxygen absorbers and added to bags of cooked or dehydrated food. What happens if you consume a beef jerky oxygen packet? Call 911 and seek immediate medical help if a loved one is choking on silica gel. As a result, they are labeled “Do not eat” by manufacturers. While silica gel is normally benign when eaten, it has caused some people to choke. Silica packets can be found in a variety of products, including beef jerky and new shoes. Silica gel is a desiccant (drying agent) that is commonly used in small packets to prevent moisture from causing damage to food and industrial products.
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