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About Oxygen Absorbers

An oxygen absorber is a packet filled with iron particles and salt that works to retain oxygen. Moisture absorbed by the package combines with iron, salt, and oxygen to rust the iron. This traps the oxygen and usually lets off a small amount of heat. They are used in food packaging to prevent spoiling.

Oxygen absorbers are also used in museums as a method of killing insects and other critters that may infest artefacts. The artefacts are sealed in an air-tight container for about two weeks with oxygen absorbers, and because nothing has to touch the artefacts, this is a delecate way of kiling the infestation.