There is both poisonous and safe desiccants. A common ingredient in some, for example, is Calciumchloride - a primary component of sea salt. You should not, however, digest either that type or silica gel.
I believe it is a condition that restricts the ligaments from keeping their bond to the bone. My girlfriend has it and her ligaments on her knee cannot form a strong bond to her bone.
Silica gel can be reactivated by heating, as moisture adsorption does not change the substances. However, it is necessary to heat desiccants for packaging for a long time at a relatively low heat...
Dispose of desiccants as non-combustible waste.
When a large amount of desiccants are to be disposed of industrially, they should be treated as industrial waste.