Is Diatomaceous Earth Dangerous?
Diatomaceous Earth (also called fossil shell flour or diatomite, after the biological genesis of this material and also has the German name of kieselgur, meaning a flint from the water sediment) is a material found in sedimentary rocks. It occurs naturally in sea-beds (Saltwater DE) or dried floors of lakes and rivers (Freshwater DE), and is a soft material rich in silica that easily crumbles into a powdery form. Diatomite primarily comprises of the fossils of hard-shelled algae or one-celled plants (phytoplankton) and has multiple industrial and household uses.
Properties
of Diatomaceous Earth
The chemical name of Diatomaceous Earth is
‘Diatomaceous silica’ and its chemical formula is SiO2.nH2O. SiO2 is 86.30% by weight, while other
compounds present as Al2O3 (4.50%), Fe2O3 (1.57%) and CaO (1.43%).
Its dry density is in the range of 9.0 and 13.0
pounds per cubic feet, is typically off-white in color, and a pH value between
7 to 10. Particle size of diatomite is generally finer than 45 microns, and can
be as low as microns.
Uses
of Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth has many applications. Absorbing
nitroglycerine in diatomite makes it more stable, and this mixture is very
commonly known as dynamite. Since it has high porosity and contains
microscopically small hollow particles, it is very commonly used as a filtering
medium in swimming pools, water treatment plants and fish tanks. Further, this
fine powder structure can absorb lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects
and is therefore also used as a pesticide and in agriculture. Diatomite is also a commonly used abrasive,
and given its low conductivity, as an insulator as well.
Is
Diatomaceous Earth Dangerous?
Diatomaceous Earth has high absorbing property and
can dry out hands and skin, because of which it should not be handled without
gloves or appropriate cover for protection.
Certain varieties of diatomite (particularly the
flux-calcined form) have higher concentrations of sharp-edged crystalline
silica, which can result in severe respiratory problems and silicosis, and even
cancer of the lungs, if a person gets exposed to it without wearing a dust
mask. As a result, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Department
of the United States (OSHA) even regulates the level of crystalline silica that
can be present in the dust particulate.
Even with small exposure, it can result in the
irritation of the eye and skin.
Certain algae found in the coastal waters, and which
constitute the diatomite, have resulted in severe pollution, and a few species
also known to produce domoic acid (which is a nerve poison that can quickly
causes death to many fauna, if ingested).
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