Old Speckled Hen Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I've been discussing this on another forum. Very alarming! The recommended maximum exposure level for crystalline silica is being dropped from 100 micrograms per cubic meter to 50 micrograms per cubic meter. The limit for the presence of crystalline silica in DE is 1% so if you dust you chickens with just 100g of DE per cubic meter you will be 20,000 times over the recommended exposure level !!!!!!! It's difficult to get a grip on the size of the problem associated with inhalation of silica because it takes many years for the effects of low level inhalation to become apparent. Also, whilst some patients will be diagnosed with silicosis because they worked in a high risk job, others will be diagnosed with IPF because there won't necessarily be a directly identifiable link to crystalline silica viz; Silicosis: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/silicosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopathic_pulmonary_fibrosis Mods....important enough to leave on the main forum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Sounds alarming, but I suspect it's unlikely to be an issue for those with a few hens. The regulations state that that level of exposure is measured as the the average continuous exposure over an 8 hour shift, based on 10 hours a day/40 hours a week (and presumably 47ish weeks a year, although I can't see this bit in the paper). That's a bit different to puffing or dusting a small amount of diatom in the nooks, crannies, and perches of a henhouse on an infrequent basis . If I'm doing a large area - like the whole of the inside of a shed - with *any* product (Diatom, Staolosanm spraying poultry shield) then I wear a disposable face mask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I'm a bit confused here OSH. I haven't used Diatom(atious Earth), but I thought it was crushed sea shells. The crushed shell particles have sharp edges which does the job on the mites. Sea shells are Calcium aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 NO Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of silica. I, for one, have thrown mine away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Thanks for the clarification Old Speckled Hen. Fortunately I haven't got any to throw away. I've heard of people feeding the stuff to their chickens against worms! Dusting them with it seems to be general practice as is liberally scattering it in the coops. Of course wing flapping will send dust up all over the place, as will any breeze when you open the coop up to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I won't be throwing mine away - I agree with Witch Hazel that using it for short periods is unlikely to be a high risk. I rarely use it anyway, in fact last time I got it out was to put around plants to keep slugs off. It is sensible to wear a mask if you're working with anything that creates dust but frankly I probably inhale more icing sugar than anything else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I used to use these things but then decided anything that puffed up dust that would get in my body wasn't great. I was always breathing it in or getting it on my clothes so haven't used anything for quite a while. Started to use stalosan in the winter but OH took over because I was getting more on me than the run. That's the last powdery stuff I've used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 don't they put it in/around human food - such as grain to stop infestations? Presumably there's a different risk from ingesting, rather than inhaling, it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 don't they put it in/around human food - such as grain to stop infestations?Presumably there's a different risk from ingesting, rather than inhaling, it? inhaling dust is the problem as it gets in the lungs and stays there if your using a mask you need to make sure it's the right one for the job most DIY grade masks aren't always suitable for fine particles or liquid vapours they just make the user feel safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 You are only at risk if you inhale a large amount of dust over a number of years (20 or more). Dusting your chickens is very unlikely to cause you to inhale large amounts of dust. Large amounts of dust can be created by demolition work etc. If you want a mask, get a decent one, like this Inhalation of crystalline silica is harmful to the lungs. But Diatomaceous Earth is mostly made from amorphous silica which is considered to be low toxicity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 It takes only one fibre of asbestos, another form of silica, to cause mesothelioma in susceptible people. While the silica in diatomaceous earth is MOSTLY amorphous there is some crystalline component. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I won't be throwing mine away - I agree with Witch Hazel that using it for short periods is unlikely to be a high risk. I rarely use it anyway, in fact last time I got it out was to put around plants to keep slugs off. It is sensible to wear a mask if you're working with anything that creates dust but frankly I probably inhale more icing sugar than anything else! do you wear a mask when you're baking Olly. I love inhaling icing sugar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 [quote name="Chickabee" do you wear a mask when you're baking Olly. I love inhaling icing sugar I always say icing sugar should be used for crowd control instead of tear gas, the darned stuff gets blooming everywhere. You can't beat walking around in a bra full of icing sugar for an uncomfortable experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I don't wear a mask, but I do find it coats everything around me so presumably my lungs must have some too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Gosh! I don't use it much at home but help out at a chicken place where they do use it a lot. Would it be ok to copy and put his on my FB page, i know a lot of dog people dousing their dogs on a weekly basis and feeding it to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 I'm a bit confused about this. Ive been researching it on the internet, there's nothing to say that it's terribly harmful. Apparently it's safe to eat, but not so safe to inhale. However animals exposed to it over long periods (not something I'm happy about), showed no significant signs of increased disease contraction. It's a bit annoying because I know your not making it up, I would like all the info possible. DE is present in many things, including pesticides, which of course will be airborne. Is something being covered up ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
