The
stuff that is in those little
packets that come in new
shoes,
hard drives, and other computer
equipment with "Do Not Eat" and "Throw Away Immediately" plastered all over the
packet. Silica takes in
moisture from the air. Once
heat or
vacuum is applied to it, though, the
moisture leaves, making silica
reusable. Besides keeping
moisture away from
shoes and
hard drives, it is also used in
preserving roses and other
flowers.
If you wonder why you shouldn't eat silica, put the following 2 true statements together:
1) Silica absorbs water
2) The human body is made up of primarily water
Anthrax can be combined with silica to dry the anthrax spores out, making them linger in the air longer. This was what was done for the anthrax mailings to CBS, NBC, Congress, etc.