keystroke said:
uh, to the people suggesting the use of Diatomaceous earth, I think you've probably got your products mixed up.
Diatomaceous earth causes cancer of the lungs, there is no way in fuck you'd be giving it to your cat or dog, let along sprinkling the shit around your house.
You will note that
1) I did not suggest
"giving it to your cat or dog, let along sprinkling the shit around your house"
2) There are different grades of Diatomaceous earth, each specific to its intended purpose of use
I suggested applying
the correct grade to the vacuumed mattress and to the bed frame. I then, as a precautionary measure, suggested enclosing the treated mattress in a fitted waterproof mattress pad. Even without the precautionary measures, your exposure levels to the
correct grade of Diatomaceous earth will not pose any significant risks to your health. You would probably get cancer of the lung sooner from car exhaust fumes in your daily travels, than from breathing in this stuff while mining it, let alone from the small quantities used at home.
I think before you spread any more unwarranted panic about the product, you should maybe refer us to the cases of cancer caused by Diatomaceous earth through regular household use.
"There is limited and conflicting evidence regarding the exposure-response relationship between exposure to crystalline silica and silicosis" -
National Library of Medicine (and that's while mining it, i.e. major exposure)
Any studies you find of risk associated with the product will be on
Silicosis Risk in the Diatomaceous Earth Industry, key word there being
industry, i.e. mining. Regular household use is reportedly safe. Add to that - absolutely NOTHING comes close to being as effective on creepy crawly pests as Diatomaceous earth. Well, actually there are more effective products, but they would probably kill you along with the pests.
Just so there is no more panic because Darthmom mentioned "tiny shards of glass" - she was using an analogy. The actual product...
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring substance comprised of the fossilized remains of diatoms. Diatoms are microscopic sized hard shelled creatures found in both marine and fresh waters. The diatom shells are covered in sharp spines that make them dangerous to exoskeletal insects, but not to animals with internal skeletons. The spines of the diatom skeletons pierce the soft body tissues of insects between their hard exoskeletal plates and it is through these numerous microscopic wounds that the insect loses bodily moisture to the point of desiccating and dying. Creatures with internal skeletons such as humans, cattle and pets have means of resisting such damage and are not harmed.
Please, keystroke, the next time you make such strong statements, at least back them up with a source link. That's the least we can expect, especially from a moderator.
