[meteorite-list] Orange to green desiccant beads and chlorine content

From: Mendy Ouzillou <ouzillou_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2013 10:40:19 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <1357152019.81353.YahooMailNeo_at_web126203.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>

I've been researching the desiccant beads we typically use to draw moisture away from meteorites and needed to ask a question from more knowledgeable people on the list. These orange to green desiccant beads are the ones generally recommended as they supposedly do not contain chlorine. http://www.desiccantpackets.com/pounds-loose-bulk-orange-indicating-silica-gel-desiccant-2-4-mm-beads-moisture-absorber-dehumidifier.html.

I asked the company specifically if the product contained chlorine and they said no chlorine and no cobalt.

The composition is from the MSDS they sent is as follows:

Chemical Description: Orange to Green Indicating Silica Gel
Formula: SIO2 + H20 + C25H30CLN3
CAS (R Phrase Classification): 112926-00-8 amorphous silica 98.2%, activated coloring agent 0.2% max.

The coloring agent is called methyl violet and the chemical formula clearly shows chlorine is present. The amount is obviously very small but still present.

Is this an issue? Is there a different desiccant that is also orange that has no chlorine?

Thank you!

Mendy Ouzillou?
Received on Wed 02 Jan 2013 01:40:19 PM PST