Is DE harmful to my lungs?!

[tropicalchicks]

Is DE harmful to my lungs? My chest gets heavy when using it. I noticed on the bag of the food grade DE that it warns about breathing it. What about my birds? Are they safe with this stuff?

 

[Mahonri]

I ALWAYS wear a mask when using it.

 

[tropicalchicks]

What about my girls? Are they in danger from the dust? Will it bother or injure their lungs? Thanks

 

[posey]

I am a safety engineer and yes I HIGHLY recommend that you use a mask that is properly fitted to your face. Also, try to not throw it around and make it more airborne than necessary. The food grade is way less hazardous than the type used in swimming pool filters but it is still wise to be careful when using it.

Many, many, many members of BYC use food grade DE on a regular basis. However, there are some who feel the disadvantages out weigh the advantages.

If you are concerned, I suggest you do a search on this forum for DE. You will come across both sides and some posts provide good outside information along with their personal opinion.

Then you can decide what is best your yourself and your chicks.

Anytime we are doing or using something new, it's best to learn the safest way to do or use it.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Its like breathing tiny razor blades

 

[Zahboo]

It can be. Lock the girls in the run for a little while to let the dust settle. Wear a mask or cover your face while doing it.

 

[crazy huhn]

I used it once without a mask to dust my run. I coughed for 4 weeks - so bad that my supervisor wanted to send me home from work.........

 

[SurprisingWoman]

I have severe asthma and get bronchitis on a regular (spring) basis.

I use DE in my dust bath in the tractor. They fluff it around when they shake off and it keeps the smell/flies down without my doing anything.

I tend to be more open to things and not as OMFG as some. I say try for yourself and see what your tolerance is.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Newsflash to the world, ANY dust is bad to breathe. Pet dander, common household dust, mold spores, feather dust, protein from droppings that get kicked up into the air, DE, other poultry and garden dusts.....any kind of dust. None of it is good for your lungs. You should wear a mask while cleaning the coop and applying any DE, Sevin dust, or other powders.
As long as your coop has proper ventilation, the birds will be fine. It's best to keep them out of the coop while cleaning and putting the stuff down. Then once it settles, let them back in. Chickens are always scratching stuff up, so they get their share of all kinds of dust.
If they aren't kept in the coop 24/7, then all should be well

 

[portlandpeeps]

what is DE?