Desiccants?

Factual Questions
1

I understand why they put the desiccant packages in pill bottles, but lately I have found desiccants in these product packages.

  • My new ceiling fan
  • My new lawnmower
  • A box for a computer Monitor
  • Attached to the back of a new sofa

THESE are just the ones I’ve noticed. What is the purpose? I hardly think a tiny little package of desiccant is going to protect a lawnmower from anything!

As an aside. Since they all are clearly marked DO NOT EAT, I have to wonder; What idiot was the first person to eat this thing? Did he get his new ceiling fan and say; “Hey Marge the ceiling fan company included snacks!!!”?

2

I’m no expert, but I play one on the internet.

My guess is that all of these items were wrapped in plastic (along with the box, styrofoam, etc.) All of the things you listed could either mildew, rust or otherwise be damaged by moisture. The silica gel soaks up any water that gets inside the wrappings. Silica gel is just silicon dioxide, so it’s probably cheap insurance.

FWIW, this site says that silica gel is “nearly harmless”. Yeah, I kind of wonder who would want to eat a bunch of rusty sand myself.

3

I believe that honour belongs to me. Tastes a bit like chicken actually.:smiley: