Cobalt Blue
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Blue Indicating Silica Gel: Its Environmental Issues and Potential Health Conerns
Indicating Silica Gel changes color as it absorbs moisture. This effect is achieved by a chemical being added to the Silica Gel that reacts when it comes into contact with water. This is useful because it lets consumers know when the Silica Gel has reached full saturation and needs to be replaced. Many companies that produce indicating Silica Gel add Cobalt Chloride as their indicator. Cobalt Chloride has proven to be a dangerous compound. Luckily there are alternatives to cobalt chloride for use in indicating Silica Gel.
Silica Gel has numerous applications including maintaining a low level of humidity in closed places, protecting sensitive equipment from moisture damage, and in breathing apparatus. In some of its applications, it is important to be able to tell when the Silica Gel has reached its absorption capacity. Manufacturers of Silica Gel produce an indicating Silica Gel for this purpose. Indicating Silica Gel has a chemical added to it in low amounts, generally less than 1% by weight, that reacts to moisture. The additive changes color when it comes into contact with moisture, a common additive has been Cobalt Chloride. When the indicating Silica Gel has changed color, then the consumer knows it is time to either replace or reactivated the Silica Gel. Exposing the indicating Silica Gel to heat according to the manufacturer's instructions not only allows for the Silica Gel to absorb moisture again, it also turns the indicating agent back to its original color.
Cobalt Chloride has been used for decades as an indicator of moisture level. It is blue in its dry state then turns to purple then pink as it becomes saturated. Cobalt chloride isn't just used in indicating Silica Gel, paper can be infused with it to detect leaks, novelty items used to be coated with it to "predict" weather, and it is sometimes used in items like hair dye and antiperspirants. According to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) released by companies that use it, Cobalt Chloride is a skin and respiratory irritant. Reports on MSDS as to the carcinogenic properties of Cobalt Chloride vary from no risk to showing that it causes cancer in laboratory animals. The hazard warning for Cobalt Chloride warns that it may cause irritation to the skin and lungs and that extended exposure may affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, and thyroid. The personal protection measures recommended for handling Cobalt Chloride includes using protective eye wear, gloves, respirators, and ventilation hoods. One of the main concerns in handling Cobalt Chloride is inhalation, as it can cause cancer.
Since 2001 British regulations have required that Cobalt Chloride be labeled, handled, and disposed of as a hazardous material. Precautions must be taken to prevent Cobalt Chloride from leaking into the ground and water supply when disposed of in the UK. There are no such provisions in the United States. Cobalt Chloride is still widely used in the United States in indicating Silica Gels, despite the possible cancer causing properties. There are safe alternatives to Cobalt Chloride for Indicating Silica Gel. Responsible US companies have reformulated their indicating Silica Gel to remove Cobalt Chloride in their indicating Silica Gel. The reformulated indicator removes the Cobalt Chloride additive to provide a safe product to work with and handle, this reformulated indicating Silica Gel starts out orange and turns green when saturated. The companies who have taken it upon themselves to reformulate their indicator before being told to are providing a safer working environment for employees and a safer product for consumers.
If you use indicating Silica Gel, consider the human and environmental safety concerns associated with using blue indicating Silica Gel. We recommend finding a supplier that provides orange indicating Silica Gel as a safe alternative. Even though the US government doesn't restrict the labeling, handling and disposal of Cobalt Chloride the way the UK has, there are US companies that have taken the responsible step of removing it from their indicating Silica Gel. Reformulated indicators do not have the health concerns that Cobalt Chloride does, thereby making a safer product for manufacturers to make and consumers to handle. The reformulated indicating Silica Gel works the same way as that containing Cobalt Chloride, changing color as the Silica Gel becomes saturated, alerting the consumer as to when it needs to be replaced or reactivated.
Where Can I Find Orange Indicating Silica Gel?
There are several outlets available by searching google for Silica Gel Packets. A popular outlet we found is: SilicaGelPackets.com as they do not offer Blue Indicating Silica Gel (only the orange cobalt free indicating silica gel), they accept low and high volume orders, and they provide Free Shipping on all orders!
About the Author
Dryness - Reviewing Desiccant Based Products.
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