Characterization and toxicological behavior of synthetic amorphous hydrophobic silica

During almost three decades of experience with hydrophobic silicas, no adverse health effects have been observed in manufacturing and applications with appropriate handling of the materials. The oral LD50 for rodents is > 7.9 g/kg body wt. Fumed or precipitated hydrophobic silicas do not produce inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes. Likewise, acute and chronic oral tests yielded no adverse systemic effects. A limited carcinogenesis study in rats did not induce tumors and the Ames test of a toluene extract was negative. Reproductive or developmental toxicity was not observed. In general, hydrophobic silicas provide a toxicological profile essentially the same as common silicas.