Questions You Should Know about silicon dioxide nanoparticles

29 Apr.,2024

 

Silicon Dioxide - Center for Research on Ingredient Safety

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Silicon dioxide is abundant in our environment, but concerns about this everyday ingredient continue to pop up. In this post, we look at silicon dioxide.

What is silicon dioxide? 

Silicon dioxide, also known as silica or SiO2, is a naturally occurring compound. It's made of silicon and oxygen. Both elements are abundant on our planet. If you've held a rock or touched sand, you've encountered silicon dioxide.  
 
In fact, our bodies use silica to support the development of our bones, connective tissues, and more. 
 
Silicon dioxide used as an ingredient may be labeled as silica, silicon dioxide, synthetic amorphous silica (SAS), or E551. 

Where do we find silicon dioxide? 

We find silicon dioxide naturally in many foods and beverages. For example

  • Bananas
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Grains
  • Green beans
  • Leafy greens
  • Milk
  • Water

We find silicon dioxide added to foods and products. For example

  • Salt
  • Spices
  • Sugar
  • Cosmetics (e.g., powders)

Why is silicon dioxide added to foods and products? 

Silicon dioxide works as an anti-caking agent, and manufacturers add small amounts to some foods, cosmetics, and more to prevent products from clumping and binding together.

Why do we need anti-caking agents like silicon dioxide? 

Many foods and products readily absorb water or oils. The absorption of this water or oil can cause products to clump together and, in some cases, become unusable. Clumping is especially troublesome for cake mixes, flour, sugar, table salt, and many other granular food products with crystalline structures. 
 
When these crystalline structures absorb water or oils, they can create a liquid bridge that forms into a crystal bridge. This crystal bridge binds the food product together, making it difficult to use.

You may have noticed that some restaurants add rice to the salt in their salt shaker, or maybe you've seen people add rice to brown sugar. Adding rice to an ingredient is a low-cost and small-scale way of adding additional clumping protection to foods because the rice absorbs excess moisture and protects the foods from the above clumping process.
 
Manufacturers add small amounts of anti-caking agents like silicon dioxide to products they want to keep free-flowing. These anti-caking agents coat individual particles, thus separating the particles from each other so a crystal bridge does not form and cause clumping.
 

Is there a difference between silicon dioxide, SAS, and E551? 

Manufacturers can make silicon dioxide known as synthetic amorphous silica (SAS). If SAS meets specific quality standards, manufacturers may use it as a food additive. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) identifies SAS in its system as E551. 
 
Our bodies recognize and process naturally occurring silicon dioxide and SAS or E551 in the same ways because they are chemically identical. 

Can silicon dioxide harm our health? 

Inhaling a large amount of small particle silicon dioxide, like in manufacturing situations, can adversely impact our health.
 
Otherwise, silicon dioxide is safe to use and consume in normal quantities. As always, the dose makes the poison. 

What about nanoparticle-sized silicon dioxide? 

Naturally occurring and human-created silicon dioxide and SAS may come in nanoparticle size. 
 
For perspective, there are 1,000 nanometers in 1 micrometer → 1,000 micrometers in 1 millimeter → 1,000 millimeters in 1 meter. Check out the free online app Scale of the Universe to see a nanometer in scale with similar objects.
 
Presently, no evidence suggests that consuming and using products with manufactured nano-sized silicon dioxide produces adverse health effects (1,2,3). However, researchers continue to review the safety of manufactured nanostructured silicon dioxide additives.

The good news.

We've safely used silicon dioxide in products for hundreds of years. And we continue to find new ways to use silicon dioxide safely. 

If you have any questions about foods and ingredients, please reach out to us on Twitter, send us an email, or submit your idea to us at go.msu.edu/cris-idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are SiO2 Ultra Thin Coatings?

SiO2 International, offers coatings of pure, safe, quartz glass or silicon dioxide (Si02). Silicon dioxide is the most abundant mineral on earth and the chief ingredient in glass. It is also found in many foods, water and beer. When applied, the layer is very thin and clear, and it is for this reason it has the informal name of Liquid Glass.

Is silicon dioxide safe?

The FDA states that it is safe and can be added to the food you eat.

Hebei Silicon Research Electronic Materials Co., L supply professional and honest service.

What makes SiO2 Technology different from other surface protectors?

SiO2 Technology is safe to use in all environments and the same technology wins environmental awards overseas. When viewed under a microscope, our coatings appear as a continual film (a polymerized layer) of glass, unlike other nanotech surface technologies that contain engineered particles of matter (nanoparticles). SiO2 Ultra Thin Coatings contain no chemicals or toxins so special safety equipment is unnecessary for application. Our products offer a safer alternative to traditional surface products and this is especially true in the industrial sector.

How are SiO2 coatings applied?

Simply clean the surface and wipe, dip or spray it on. We consult with the client for the best application process. On heavily soiled surfaces, clean the surface thoroughly by utilizing traditional cleaning agents and follow with wiping with a solvent like methanol. Once it is established the surface is free of any contaminants, then apply the appropriate SiO2 product using the package directions or Tech sheet.

What happens when SiO2 coatings are applied?

Our coatings are imperceptible but changes will soon occur to the treated surface. Drops of water will roll around like a ball bearing on fabric. Stains will not permeate stone. Stainless steel will become fingerprint resistant and keep its shiny appearance – even in public areas. The glass on cellular phones will become scratch resistant. All surfaces will stop the growth of bacteria. For additional benefits, see Natural Attributes Found in Many of Our Coatings.

How soon after applying SiO2 Ultra Thin Coating’s can I use the surface?

Light use may resume soon after application, about 5 minutes after the product dries. Water based applications need approximately 12 hours to fully cure. Ethanol based products need 8 hours to become fully established for regular use.

Can SiO2 Technology be used outdoors?

Yes. Our products will withstand extreme temperature fluctuations and are flexible up to 200% but please refer to our Tech sheets for specifics.

How does SiO2 Liquid Glass fight bacteria and microbes?

Once applied, our technology becomes a durable coating that fights bacteria through ionic exchange. This means that the surface will not support bacterial growth. We also provide anti-bacterial variants with all the same attributes as our regular treatments but will eliminate MRSA, e-coli, and salmonella bacteria, among others, within minutes. Our products fight bacteria for the life of the treatment, unlike older technologies that use toxic additives that are short-lived and expensive. In most instances, maximum surface sanitation can be maintained by washing with water only. The coatings unique attributes benefit nurseries, hospitals, gyms, schools, restaurants, and public transit systems and is utilized on food preparation areas, conveyor belts, cash registers, bathrooms, and other shared surface areas touched by many people.

Are SiO2 products safe to handle?

Yes. It is very safe to the skin. However, as a precautionary measure, we recommend wearing gloves whenever you use our products as the ethanol in some of our products may be  drying to the skin.

Are SiO2 coatings considered related to nanotechnology?

No. All of our cured layers fall outside the nanoscale, but if necessary, we can formulate a coating within what is considered nanotechnology. (See Custom Formulations).

 In technical terms nanotechnology is defined under “ultra thin layers” as a coating that measures less than a 100 nanometers thick.

How does SiO2 Ultra Thin Layer’s benefit the environment?

In most instances, treated surfaces need only be cleaned with water. Treated surfaces are cleaner using water than cleaning duplicate surfaces with bleach or other such solutions. This eliminates the need for POPs (persistent organic pollutants) found in detergents and conventional cleaners that are flushed into water tables or sent to landfill sites. Because SiO2 coatings are inert, they will not harm the environment in any way. These are some of the biggest reasons that this technology wins environmental awards year after year.

Will using SiO2 Technology save me money?

Yes. When you treat a surface with our technology, in most instances the surface needs only to be cleaned with water. North American companies allocate large budgets for cleaning solutions and the average household spends hundreds of dollars on cleaning products each year. Most of these can be eliminated with the security that your surfaces will be cleaner without them.

Can the treatments be reapplied?

Yes. Simply follow the directions used in the first application. Ensure the surface is clean, dry, and free from any contaminants or cleaning residues. Read the label. Apply the new layer over the original one.

Is SiO2 Liquid Glass damaged by strong acids or alkaline?

No. Another unique attribute of this product is that it can withstand a broad range of chemical ph values. This is one of the many reasons Si02 Liquid Glass is used by major tile companies as a sealant for natural stone and ceramic tile. Many traditional stone sealants will allow staining if spills are not immediately removed but our products protect and extend the life of tile surfaces by prohibiting stains and the penetration of unwanted substances.

How long does SiO2 Liquid Glass last on surfaces?

In certain environments, our coatings may last in the 10’s of years. We now offer warranties of 2 years.

Where can I get a MSDS on a SiO2 product?

To get Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Tech sheets on SiO2 products, email us at contact@sio2international.com.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website silicon dioxide nanoparticles.