Talk:Silicon dioxide

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[edit] Silicon dioxide in food

Can you please tell me why I would find Silicon dioxide in the ingredients list on a packet of food and how safe is it to consume?

I second this --Plonk420 22:09, 19 Apr 2005 (UTC)

While I'm not sure why it exactly would be an *additive*, I do know that many people commonly ingest it - in the form of vegetables. Silica is fairly common in plant cell walls. One study I know of (there might be more) suggests that silicon dioxide may help lower cholesterol [1]. Of course, I doubt that that's what Burger King had in mind. One theory says that silica is added to increase the crunch in, say, pies or burgers. Silica is poorly absorbed by the body, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue (and again, it's commonly found in edible plants). Im guessing that the danger with eating those silica gel packets found in beef jerky packages and other snacks (used to keep the pack dry) is the possibility of *inhaling* it. That would cause silicosis, which would be bad. As a food additive, it *should* be stuck on food well enought that inhalation shouldn't be a problem. bluemonq 23:26, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

Inhaling crystalline silica DUST can cause silicosis. The gel packets dont have dust, they typically have beads. If you want to see why you should not eat them, pour a fresh dry pack of the beads into water and watch them explode...

Speaking of all this, the Burger King page was a little bothersome, and the SiO2 was hard to find mentioned- would somebody perhaps just compile a list or something so that we wouldn't have to look so hard or pick on Burger King?--Honalululand 20:47, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

When Companies mess up and add too much Silicon dioxide people get pretty sick. My 1 year son went to the hospital over night when we was throwing up. I looked on the ingredients list and saw Silicon dioxide. I thought in my head,"why do they have silicon in food?". Vstmassie (talk) 17:09, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Use in tires

Silica is now being used in motorcycle tire manufacturing. It makes the tires more complient and temperature stable. This lets manufacturers make tires that grip better and still handle loads, without excesive ware from higher temperatures. It also affects wet weather traction.

[edit] Reactions of silica

Please outline some of the basic reactions that silica gel is likely to undergo, especially those relating to the preparation of the products listed in the page. could you also include a method for purifying the silica source into the final silica product.

Please come to my job and do it for me so I can stay at home and throw food at my wall. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.198.151.130 (talk) 10:45, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Silica in shampoo

Isn't it a good thing to have silica in shampoo? But what does it do in it? 71.250.17.62 02:20, 17 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Chemistry

As far as I know there is no free silicon in nature, but silicon is in oxidized form; in silicon dioxide (quartz etc.) or in complex oxides with metals (silicates). So there is little to happen (chemically) for silicon in a fire or in a lightning. I removed the fires and strokes of lightning producing silicon dioxide(and fulgurites added there afterwards). --AB-fi 18:29, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

It was badly written. I meant to say that silicon dioxide could be formed naturally from silicates by some high temperature processes. I apologise for lack of thought and poor proof reading. The section is now much improved compared to the time when my sentences were added. Jaraalbe 21:43, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Silicon dioxide solubility

How soluble is silicon dioxide? My chemistry teacher told me to always remember nothing is insoluble. That, in water (an excellent solvent) everything disolves a bit. Even gold, plastics and, yup, sand. So whats the figure? It should be included in the table, along with any solvent it dissolves in strongly enough in to be consideded actually quite soluble. I would love to find something that will dissolve the beakers in which it was created! - Jack (talk) 23:53, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

The solubility of silica in water is approximately 0.012 G in 100g, which classifies it as insoluble (120 ppm).192.122.237.11 22:42, 3 November 2006 (UTC)
And if you want something that dissolves beakers, try HF. Nasty, nasty stuff. WB_Frontier

[edit]  ?

Does this material turn into glass when heated? C'uzz i have no idea.

[edit] silica health benefits

The Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging Vol 11(2) 2007 has a special symposium including an editorial and five articles on emerging data with respect to the health benefits of silica. According to articles, silica is the second most prevalent element after oxygen. Articles refer to compelling data suggesting that silica is essential for health.

Here's a nice summary of medical uses/benefits of silica. Don't know how trustworthy the site is, although it does cite some legitimate sources. If anyone is in the mood of adding this info to the page, please do so. Aurimas 06:44, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] MSDS?

What's supposed to be linked at the MSDS link in the info box? Donald Hosek 23:45, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Bottled water

I see that a mention of use in bottled water has been removed following this revision. I'm not sure why it was removed, but I know for sure that silicon dioxide can be found in mineral water (at least the one I drink - Naleczowianka), and it's listed under Mineral Content, so it's probably somewhat significant. 36 mg/L of SiO2 in the mentioned mineral water. I will revert back to the older edit and add additional info if no one minds. Aurimas 08:11, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

Just noticed that it's in fact an undo by Scarian of the previous revision. Any reason why this was removed? Manufactured forms is probably not a good place to put it, I agree. Maybe there's a need to start a new section regarding SiO2 in foods? The first comment on this page already hints at a need for this section. Aurimas 08:17, 12 September 2007 (UTC)
silica is also a selling point of Fiji brand bottled water. Among other claims, the label says "it provides the water's great mouth feel" 97.82.247.200 00:37, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] SiO2 Most common in crust?

You'd think that it being the most common compound in the crust would make it notable. Although I'm not really sure of this. Can anyone confirm this?-=Elfin=-341 04:31, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Actual SiO2 is not as common as that table might suggest (60%); that's a simplified way of expressing all silicon compounds, including a large variety of silicates. To make the point more obvious, note that the table says there is 3% of "Na2O". This represents again many sodium minerals, but in this case there is no pure Na2O at all, since it is very reactive (it is a very strong base). --Itub (talk) 13:21, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] another name for SiOSubscript text

another name for sioSubscript text is silicon dioxide,silica, or silox they are there scientific names  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.21.93.105 (talk) 01:06, 15 March 2008 (UTC) 

[edit] Ambiguous statement

"Inhaling finely divided crystalline silica dust in very small quantities (OSHA allows 0.1mg/m3) over time can lead to silicosis, bronchitis or (much more rarely) cancer, ..."

Does this mean:

  • "Inhaling finely divided crystalline silica dust in very small quantities over time can lead to silicosis, bronchitis or (much more rarely) cancer, ... but the OSHA defines a limit of 0.1mg/m3 below which the risk is minimal.";
  • "Inhaling finely divided crystalline silica dust in very small quantities over time can lead to silicosis, bronchitis or (much more rarely) cancer, ..., even if exposure is below the OSHA 0.1mg/m3 limit.";

—? Cutler (talk) 09:50, 21 April 2008 (UTC)