
Safety considerations
Our Perma-Guard Fossil Shell Flour is
pure freshwater Diatomaceous Earth.
It is of the highest quality, being greater than 99.5% amorphous silica
and less than 1/2% crystalline silica.
Is DE Hazardous?
Excerpt from The IPM Practitioner, Monitoring the Field of Pest
Management, William Quarles, Volume XIV, Number 5/6, May/June 1992.
"Both swimming pool grade and natural diatomaceous earth come from the
same fossil sources, but they are processed differently. The natural
grades are mined, dried, ground, sifted and bagged. The pool grade is
chemically treated and partially melted and consequently contains
crystalline silica which can be a respiratory hazard. Thus, it is
imperative that only natural diatomaceous earth be used for insect
control. This non-crystalline silica is not a hazard as the human body
apparently can dissolve it."
"Ingestion of diatomaceous earth is not toxic to mammals. Rats fed a
daily diet containing 5% freshwater diatomaceous earth show no
abnormalities after 90 days (Bertke 1964). Dairy farms sometimes feed
their animals food containing 1 to 2% diatomaceous earth to control
worms and other internal parasites (Allen 1972). Impoverished humans add
"fossil flour" to their baked goods in order to stretch their flour
supply (Cummins 1975). It is so safe for use on food that the FDA has
exempted diatomaceous earth from requirements of fixed residue levels
when added to stored grain (Fed. Reg. 1961). The U.S. EPA also allows
its use in food storage and processing areas (Fed. Reg. 1981)."
Important! Do not
confuse our Perma Guard products with the
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) that is used in swimming pool filters!
This type can harm you and your animals because of the different
processing.
!!
Swimming Pool Grade DE is chemically treated and partially melted and
consequently contains crystalline silica which can be a respiratory
hazard. Thus, it is imperative that only natural diatomaceous earth be
used for insect control. !!
Trace
Elements: For a breakdown of the trace
elements, go to:
http://www.vitaletherapeutics.org/deanlsbw.htm
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
The absorbent qualities of diatomaceous earth can result in a
significant drying of the hands if handled without gloves. The
saltwater form contains the highly crystalline form of silica
resulting in sharp edges. The sharpness of this version of the material
makes it dangerous to breathe and a dust mask is recommended when
working with it.
The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the
silica. Crystalline silica (silicon dioxide) poses a serious inhalation
hazard because it can cause silicosis and can eventually lead to cancer.
Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same
degree of risk as crystalline silica.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth generally contains very low percentages of
crystalline silica.
Diatomaceous earth produced
for pool filters is treated with heat, causing the formerly amorphous
silicon dioxide to assume crystalline form; so if you want to know the
risk you are assuming with exposure to diatomaceous earth, it is
important to ascertain its crystalline silica content.
(copied from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth)
The absorbent
qualities of diatomaceous earth can result in a significant
drying of the hands if handled without gloves.
The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of
the silica. Crystalline silica (silicon dioxide) poses a serious
inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis and can
eventually lead to cancer. Amorphous silica can cause dusty
lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline
silica. Food-grade diatomaceous earth contains very low
percentages of crystalline silica.
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA
SHEETS (MSDS)
Perma-Guard Fossil
Shell Flour D-10
Perma-Guard
Commercial Insecticide D-20
Perma-Guard
Household Insecticide D-20
Perma-Guard
Pet and Animal Insecticide D-20
Perma-Guard
Garden and Plant Insecticide D-21
Pet and Animal Material Safety Data Sheet-Organic
One™
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