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<p class=MsoNormal>While I am definitely no expert on diatomaceous earth, let
me tell you that I would never put it on my dogs. Here is why…<br>
Diatomaceous earth is made of the bodies of minute plant who’s structure
is made of glass-like crystal of Silica (sand). They are very beautiful,
if you ever get a chance to see photos of them. Anyway, it is ground up
into tiny shards. The reason it is used in pest control applications, is
because when an insect walks through it, the tiny glass shards absorb the
moisture from their bodies drying them out, and may be worked into the insect’s
joints so that it literally cuts itself to pieces. It also ingests it
when it cleans itself. This is a person with over 20 years of
professional pest control experience talking here.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Now let’s think about the lung cancer mesothelioma, think
about coal miners with black lung, think about silicosis. These deadly
diseases are caused by breathing in tiny almost microscopic fibers or other
kinds of dust that lodge in the lungs and can’t be coughed out. Tiny
shards of glass, that your body can’t get rid of, are now being breathed
in by your dogs, your kids, your guests, and yourself. This can’t
be good! Get the dogs into the bathtub immediately! Wash them a lot.
Make tons of suds to lift this stuff off the skin. Don’t ever put
it on the dog again! YIKES!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>An excerpt from Wikipedia lists:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='background:#F8FCFF'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The
absorbent qualities of diatomite can result in a significant drying of the
hands, if handled without gloves. The saltwater (industrial) form contains a<br>
highly crystalline form of silica, resulting in sharp edges. The sharpness of
this version of the material makes it dangerous to breathe and a <a
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust" title=Dust><span style='color:windowtext;
text-decoration:none'>dust</span></a> mask is recommended when working with it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style='background:#F8FCFF'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The
type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica.
Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause <a
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis" title=Silicosis><span
style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>silicosis</span></a>. Amorphous
silica can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as
crystalline silica. Food-grade diatomite generally contains very low
percentages of crystalline silica. Diatomite produced for pool filters is
treated with heat, causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume its
crystalline form.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style='background:#F8FCFF'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>In
the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" title="United States"><span
style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>United States</span></a>, the
crystalline silica content in the dusts is regulated by the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA), and there are guidelines for the maximum
amounts allowable in the product and in the air near the breathing zone of
workers.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth#cite_note-2"
title=""><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>[3]</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Gaylene
Opal-Deitering<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>My
passions do not replace my relationship with God, but are instead a reflection
of it!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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