The impact and harm of silica gel powder on the environment mainly come from its composition and use.
Silica gel powder, especially when it contains silicon dioxide, is stable and non-toxic at room temperature. However, if silica gel powder is inhaled in large quantities, especially in industrial or occupational environments, it may cause accumulation in the lungs and increase the risk of respiratory diseases. In addition, if silica gel powder is discarded in the environment, it will not affect nearby vegetation and soil because it has good physical and chemical properties, maintains its original elasticity and softness, is not degraded, and is a fairly stable inert substance.
Nevertheless, the harm of silica gel powder mainly comes from human activities, such as dust particles that may be generated during processing. During handling and transportation, silica gel powder may release dust, affecting air quality, and long-term inhalation may cause damage to the respiratory system. Therefore, it is very necessary for workers who come into contact with silica gel powder to take personal protective measures, such as wearing dust masks and helmets.
Due to the non-degradability of silica gel powder, long-term accumulation may affect the physical and chemical properties of the soil and affect plant growth. If a large amount of silica powder accidentally enters the water, it may have a negative impact on aquatic organisms and disrupt the ecological balance. Therefore, it is very important to use and properly handle silica powder.
In general, silica gel powder itself has little direct impact on the environment, but improper handling and use of it may cause harm to human health, especially in the case of long-term exposure to large amounts of silica powder in an occupational environment.
