We talk about this all the time, but you need to be sure that the DE you are buying and using around your house or as a supplement is food grade. Non-food grade DE can be dangerous for you, your family, and pets if it is not used for their designed purpose.
According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, excessive exposure (for 40 hours a week over a prolonged period of time) to calcined (heated) non-food grade DE can cause silicosis and even cancer.
It is imperative that you know the type of DE you are being sold, so hound your supplier, read those labels, and know if you are getting the right product.
At DiatomaceousEarth.com, we only sell the highest quality food grade DE, and you can rest assured that our products are safe for your home and family.
If you are going to use food grade DE in your house, you need to know that inhaling food grade DE is no more harmful than inhaling dust. But if you are asthmatic, elderly, smoke, or have small children, be aware that there might be respiratory discomfort or health complications if proper precautions are not taken.
Be sure to follow some of these DE safety precautions;
- Use breathing masks or another type of covering for your nose and mouth.
- Apply DE in an area that is well ventilated; opening windows can allow for a good cross-flow of air to help mitigate airborne DE build up.
- If you apply DE in your home and do feel respiratory discomforts such as coughing or shortness of breath, remove the DE with a damp towel and/or vacuum cleaner.
- If respiratory discomfort continues, please visit a healthcare professional to adequately treat the issue.