Silica gel and lithium chloride

We have recently been approached by a company marketing a new silica
gel material as 'lithium chloride free'. They claim that the product
we have been using, which does contain lithium chloride, is
potentially destructive, particularly to metals. I wonder has anyone
done the science? Is lithium chloride a risk when in close proximity
to artifacts and artworks?

Paula Dredge
Paintings Conservator
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road
The Domain
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
+61 2 9225 1720
Fax: +61 2 9225 1685


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:39
                 Distributed: Friday, February 18, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-18-39-041
                                  ***