The Many Uses of Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is the term used to describe a type of soil that turns into a fine white to off-white powder when crumbled. It occurs naturally and is a soft, siliceous sedimentary rock by classification. Diatomaceous earth is formed by the accumulation of silica, its major component, in lake and ocean fossil sediments.

Physical Properties

The particle size of diatomaceous earth is usually between 10 and 200 micrometers, but can be as small as 1 micrometer and as large as 1 millimeter. The powder of this rock is light, slightly abrasive, and highly porous. Chemically it is made up of a majority portion of silica, with small amounts of alumina, and trace amounts of iron oxide.

Uses

Uses of diatomaceous earth include filtration, abrasives, insecticides, absorbents, cat litter, research blood clotting activator, thermal insulation, and stabilization of dynamite.

· Filter. As a filter medium, diatomaceous earth is most commonly used for swimming pools because of its small, hollow particles. It is used for filtering very small particles that filter paper would otherwise catch. For example, diatomaceous earth is used as a filter for water purification systems and in fish tanks. It is also used to filter beers, wines, syrups, sugar, and honey.

· Abrasive. As an abrasive, diatomaceous earth has uses in metal polishes, facial scrubs, and toothpastes, among other things.

· Pest Control. Diatomite is used for pest control because of its absorptive properties. As an insecticide, it acts to remove the lipids from the waxy outer layer of the exoskeletons of insects. This dehydrates the insect and causes them to die as a result of water pressure deficiency. It can also be used with slugs to kill them in the same manner. Additional pesticide uses include cockroaches, fleas, and bed bugs. Diatomite is also used occasionally in medicine to de-worm humans and animals, although the research on its efficacy is not conclusive.

· Absorptive. Because of its absorptive qualities, diatomaceous earth has been used to clean up toxic liquids spills, as well as in facial masks as an oil remover. Cat litter often contains this material as an absorbent as well.

· DNA extraction. Diatomite can be used in research to splice DNA and remove it without removing RNA or proteins.

Thermal. Diatomaceous earth powder is used to help make some safes fire-resistant because of its high melting point. It is also used to make vacuum insulation more effective.