There are two commercially available grades of diatomaceous earth, and they differ in certain ways. The food grade variety is safe for both human and animal consumption and has many applications. Pool grade diatomaceous earth, also referred to as garden grade, is toxic to both people and animals and should only be used in swimming pools.
The most popular and widely used diatomaceous earth grades are those for food. They can be added to grain that is kept for both animal and human consumption to ward off pests like mealworms and prevent the grain from caking. In addition to being highly effective when used outside to ward off and kill insects, they are safe to use indoors as insecticides. When insects crawl over them, they cause tiny abrasions that result in fluid loss, which eventually leads to dehydration and death.
Diatomaceous earth is a powerful dewormer for domestic animals and livestock. Cats are dewormed as they lick and groom themselves and ingest the particles; it can be applied to dogs and cats to repel fleas and ticks. It also kills flies and their eggs. It can be used indoors to ward off and eliminate bedbugs, cockroaches, crickets, silverfish, and numerous other bothersome insects.
Although not common, some people do eat this natural product. It is believed to be a remedy for almost any illness and contains a number of trace minerals. The substance may also be useful as a general detoxifier and colon cleanser. It is frequently mixed with juice to improve the taste. Due to its presence in many of our grain products, the majority of us have consumed diatomaceous earth in small amounts without realizing it.
Pool-grade diatomaceous earth can be used as an insecticide in gardens and yards as well as to treat swimming pools. It is used similarly to the food grade variety and yields comparable outcomes. However, diatomaceous earth used in swimming pools frequently includes additional pesticides and harmful chemicals. Use food-grade materials whenever possible, with the exception of pool filters.
Both types of diatomaceous earth are made from the crushed skeletal remains of algae that live in both fresh and salt water, but if used improperly, they can be dangerous. When this product is ground, a nearly pure form of silica called diatomite is produced. The dust from the diatomite in both grades of diatomaceous earth can harm the lungs if inhaled, in addition to the chemicals added to the pool grade. It also causes severe eye irritation and skin drying. Gloves should be worn when using this product.
Pool Grade and FCC
Grade DE
Diatoms, which are minuscule aquatic organisms with skeletal remains, are used to make DE. These fossilized remains are made of silica, which is a very common material today. To make diatomaceous earth products today, silica deposits are mined.
Whether diatomaceous earth is food chemical codex grade or pool grade (also referred to as filter grade) depends on how it is processed.
Diatomaceous earth for use in filters that is pool grade has been calcined, which means it has undergone a heating process. The diatom exoskeletons become even more rigid due to the high temperatures, making them a better filtering agent. Additionally, the DE’s silicon dioxide is converted during this process into crystalline silica. Pool grade diatomaceous earth is one such calcined DE product that can have high concentrations. Pool/Filter Grade diatomaceous earth should never be used for anything other than filtration because it contains crystalline silica, which is hazardous and can be bad for both human and animal health.
On the other hand, the majority of Food Chemical Codex Grade (Food Grade) DE products are uncalcined and primarily made of amorphous silica. Food grade diatomaceous earth products contain less than 1% crystalline silica This can be used to control insects and in animal feed. Food grade DE must also adhere to rules regarding the amount of heavy metals it contains; it cannot have more than 10 mg/kg of arsenic and 10 mg/kg of lead. ”.
A diatomaceous earth product’s suitability for food, feed, or both depends on the deposit’s natural state. These requirements are satisfied by the state of the deposit as it appears in nature rather than by changing the product in any way.
Red Lake Earth Diatomaceous Earth is a Food Chemical Codex Grade and Feed Grade product that complies with all the requirements listed above.
Both food and feed grade must contain less that 1% crystalline silica and not be calcined, in order to be safe to use with and around animals However, there are very strict requirements for food grade when it comes to the amount of heavy metals. The diatomaceous earth must have an arsenic and lead content of no more than 10mg/kg and no more than 10mg/kg, respectively, in order to be considered food grade.
Animal feed and natural insecticides can both be made from diatomaceous earth products that are food- and feed-grade with equal success. Food-grade diatomaceous earth can be used as a processing and filtering aid in food, according to current regulations for all DE products, as long as it is not included in a finished product intended for human consumption.
Diatomaceous earth that is intended for use in food and feed must adhere to different standards for the presence of heavy metals.
Both types of diatomaceous earth are made from the crushed skeletal remains of algae that live in both fresh and salt water, but if used improperly, they can be dangerous. When this product is ground, a nearly pure form of silica called diatomite is produced. The dust from the diatomite in both grades of diatomaceous earth can harm the lungs if inhaled, in addition to the chemicals added to the pool grade. It also causes severe eye irritation and skin drying. Gloves should be worn when using this product.
Pool-grade diatomaceous earth can be used as an insecticide in gardens and yards as well as to treat swimming pools. It is used similarly to the food grade variety and yields comparable outcomes. However, diatomaceous earth used in swimming pools frequently includes additional pesticides and harmful chemicals. Use food-grade materials whenever possible, with the exception of pool filters.
There are two commercially available grades of diatomaceous earth, and they differ in certain ways. The food grade variety is safe for both human and animal consumption and has many applications. Pool grade diatomaceous earth, also referred to as garden grade, is toxic to both people and animals and should only be used in swimming pools.
The most popular and widely used diatomaceous earth grades are those for food. They can be added to grain that is kept for both animal and human consumption to ward off pests like mealworms and prevent the grain from caking. In addition to being highly effective when used outside to ward off and kill insects, they are safe to use indoors as insecticides. When insects crawl over them, they cause tiny abrasions that result in fluid loss, which eventually leads to dehydration and death.
Although not common, some people do eat this natural product. It is believed to be a remedy for almost any illness and contains a number of trace minerals. The substance may also be useful as a general detoxifier and colon cleanser. It is frequently mixed with juice to improve the taste. Due to its presence in many of our grain products, the majority of us have consumed diatomaceous earth in small amounts without realizing it.