| Diatomite |
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APPLICATIONS Filtration The most common use (68%) of diatomaceous earth is a Filter medium, especially for Swimming Pools . Diatomaceous earth has a high porosity because it is made of microscopically small Coffin -like hollow particles. It is used in Chemistry as a filtration aid to filter very fine Particle s that would otherwise pass or clog the Filter Paper . It is also used to filter Water and other liquids such as Beer . It can also filter syrups and sugar. Other industries such as paper, paints, ceramics, soap, and detergents use it as a filling material. Abrasive The oldest use of diatomite is as a very mild abrasive and for this purpose has been used in Toothpaste and metal Polishes . Pest control Diatomaceous earth is also used as an Insecticide due to its abrasive properties. The fine powder Abrades the Cuticle , the waxy outer layer of insects' Exoskeleton , causing them to dehydrate. In addition to insects, this also works against Gastropod s and is commonly employed in gardening to defeat Slug s. Beekeepers are apparently experimenting with it to keep small hive beetles from breeding. It is sometimes mixed with an attractant or other additives to increase its effectiveness. Medical grade diatomaceous earth is sometimes used to de-worm both animals and humans. Absorbent Its absorbent qualities make it useful for spill cleanup and the U.S. Center For Disease Control recommends it to clean up Toxic liquid spills. More recently, diatomaceous earth has been employed as a primary ingredient in a type of cat litter. The type of silica used in cat litter comes from freshwater sources and does not pose a significant health risk to pets or humans. In 1867 , Alfred Nobel discovered that Nitroglycerin could be made much more stable if absorbed in diatomaceous earth. He patented this mixture as Dynamite . GEOLOGY Because diatomaceous earth forms from the remains of water-borne and Saltwater . Freshwater diatomaceous earth is mined from dry lakebeds and is characteristically low in Crystal line silica content. Saltwater diatomaceous earth, in contrast, contains a high crystalline silica content making it a useful material for filters due to the sieve-like features of the crystals. SPECIFIC VARIETIES
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS 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. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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