Talk:Diatomaceous earth

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What is Diatomaceous Earth? Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is the fossilized skeletal remains of microscopic one-celled plants called diatoms that lived in the sea and in fresh water lakes approximately 30 million years ago. Diatoms extract silicon dioxide (SiO2) from the water to form their skeleton or shell . At the end of the diatom’s life cycle its microscopic shell drifted to the lake or sea floor. Over the eons, these shells built-up into deposits, some hundreds of meters thick.

How does it work? DiaSource DE is a mechanical insecticide; it contains no poisons or toxins. As insects crawl through DE, the powdered mineral adheres to the insect's waxy outer layer (the cuticle). The tiny particles then absorb moister through the cuticle. As a result, insects rapidly lose their body fluid lipids and die of dehydration. The rate of absorption is a function of the surface area of the individual diatoms.

Is it safe for my family and pets? Yes. The physical properties of DiaSource DE cause it to be deadly to all insects as a result of its ability to break down the cuticle, however, these same physical properties are harmless to warm-blooded organisms with internal skeletons.

Are all brands of DE the same? No. Diatomaceous Earth is found throughout the world, but the qualities of the various deposits vary widely. The single health issue associated with DE revolves around the crystalline silica content of the individual products. Silica in its crystalline form possesses sharp point that can puncture lung tissue and lead to the disease Silicosis. While all diatom skeletons are composed of silica, these skeletons in their natural form are composed of amorphous silica that lacks sharp points necessary for the particles to lodge in the lungs. This, however, is not true of all DE deposits. Some products on the market today contain enough crystalline silica to be labeled as hazardous substances by OSHA and subject to extensive precautions during application and exposure. Look for DE that has been laboratory tested and documented to contain less than 0.1% crystalline silica and carries the label of a non-hazardous substance.

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