Food/Feed Grade AMORPHOUS diatomaceous earth contains <1% CRYSTALLINE Silicon Dioxide.
Pool Grade contains 20% CRYSTALLINE Silicon Dioxide.
Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (powder) kills insects by cutting them up and can lead to Silicosis in humans by similar action.
Amorphous Silicon Dioxide kills insects by adsorption (disrupts the lipids in waxy outer layer of their cuticle and they dry up), it is not associated with Silicosis in humans.
Here is another label:
For more (probably too much):
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3604031#p3604031
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=295586&p=2
It is interesting to note that crystalline SiO₂ can be used safely, to rub out members of the chitinous Coffee Diving Team, around children and pets, in the home, but I've found it to be pretty slow going...
Pool Grade contains 20% CRYSTALLINE Silicon Dioxide.
Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (powder) kills insects by cutting them up and can lead to Silicosis in humans by similar action.
Amorphous Silicon Dioxide kills insects by adsorption (disrupts the lipids in waxy outer layer of their cuticle and they dry up), it is not associated with Silicosis in humans.
Here is another label:
For more (probably too much):
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3604031#p3604031
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=295586&p=2
It is interesting to note that crystalline SiO₂ can be used safely, to rub out members of the chitinous Coffee Diving Team, around children and pets, in the home, but I've found it to be pretty slow going...
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