Is DE harmful to my lungs?!

[Zahboo]

I can't thinkof the big long name, but it's a powder that kills insects and helps control stink. Do a search. If you get it it HAS to be FOOD GRADE

 

[posey]

Quote:
DE is short for Diatomaceous Earth. It is a light colored porous, powdery rock substance composed of diatoms. Diatoms are microscopic one-celled algae. Their cell walls are made of silica and they have various shapes, sort of like snowflakes.

Sila is what helps to kill the pests, to dehydrate the poo, and keep the smell down. Thus in very small quantities it can be very beneficial. But it can also be a serious respiratory hazard if used incorrectly.

As stated before, only purchase FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth. It may not be available locally. Many of us must purchase it on line. This type has a very low percentage of silica and is considered safe to use provided:
* You wear a particulate mask when working with it or using it in the coop, goggles aren't a bad idea either
* You place the chickens someplace else while you distribute the DE in the run or the coop and then allow it time to settle
* You don't throw it wildly around the areas and then stir or shovel wildly making most of it airborne.

For more information, do a search of the BYC forum for DE or Diatomaceous Earth. There is quite a bit of information here, including some suppliers.

 

[patandchickens]

What Mary said. It's dust. Mineral dust, at that. Is mineral dust good for you to breathe? Of course not. THat doesn't mean we should freak out about occasional exposures, people survive occasional dustiness just fine (assuming no underlying respiratory disease), but it does mean you should try *not* to be breathing it, when possible. It's real easy to just put a mask on when you apply it, and there ya go.

I do not personally believe it is a problem for chickens WHEN USED INTELLIGENTLY (as opposed to slathered thickly all over the coop on a frequent basis, as a few BYCers sound like they're doing)... at least, the way I use DE, a little bit under the bedding, it does not seem to get 'kicked up' as dust and you don't hear about DE-fiends' chickens dying of respiratory disease at an obviously accelerated rate.

So, just use some common sense and avoid snorkin' it into your lungs when applying, and IMO you will be fine.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Heavy D]

PLEASE check out the links below They answer a bunch of questions about DE. READ THEM BOTH:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth#Safety_considerations

I use D.E. every day in my job as a Brewmaster. Prolonged inhalation can cause lung cancer, as many brewery employees have found out from the 1950's that never wore masks etc.

See the MSDS link below from my DE supplier:
http://www.azpartsmaster.com/images/msds/de25.pdf


DE is not something to be used by the uneducated. BUT used correctly, it is a GREAT product that is extremely helpful around the house and on the farm.

 

[tropicalchicks]

Thanks for the help everyone. I ended up cleaning out all the pine shavings I had DE on and restocking the coop like it was before I had DE. The dust was crazy. In luck, I had a good dust mask. I don't think I will use DE again. Our hens were fine before. No signs of mites, and the deep litter kept the smell at a minimum. Now I've got an open 50 pound bag. I don't know what I'll do with it! A lifetime supply of garage space-taking, I guess.

 

[wohneli]

Quote:
Boy I sure do love MSDS! Such pleasant reading. Thanks for the link.

 

[LesGan]

Tropicalchicks....you can use the left over DE on your garden plants. It is my frontline defense against insects on all my garden veggies. Wear a mask and dust it on the plants. I used to use an old kitchen flour sifter and now have a graden duster...about the same application. Works great and no poisons on the veggies. I just rinse them off and they are good to go. Leslie

 

[al6517]

I use DE regularly and I certainly try not make a huge mess and kick up a big dust cloud when doing chores. I may have got a whiff every now and then but it has never affected me at all, I think it is all in the way people apply it. I don't know how ya'll do it but I never see dust clouds of DE in the coop.

AL

 

[Heavy D]

Quote:
EXACTLY !!

DE is great for all kinds of pest control !

I sure did not mean to scare anybody just want everyone to be safe!

You should not see DE dust storms in your coop ! Its perfect for just sprinkling all around the garden to keep pests at bay!
Don't stop using it, just use it correctly with proper precautions !