I have never heard of this stuff before, but I did just do some research on it, and other than Wikipedia, I have found a few websites, several related to animal care and this mechanical insecticide, which promote it as healthy and safe for all but insects, except for breathing or the intake of severely large amounts.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-diatomaceous-earth.htm
"The abrasive quality of diatomaceous earth also makes it a safe yet effective insecticide. The diatomaceous earth scrapes the protective outer shell off of insects. Without this protective layer, the insects quickly dry up and die. Diatomaceous earth can be used to remove external parasites from people and animals, and can be spread on crops to kill insects without dangerous chemicals. Some farmers even add a very small amount of diatomaceous earth to their livestock's feed to control internal parasites."
http://www.holisticlivestock.com/de_faq.htm **Note, this is a holistic web page**
"Food grade diatomaceous earth is EPA approved to be mixed with grains to control mealworms and other pests and has been exempted from tolerance requirements as an inert, inactive ingredient in chemical pesticides. Diatomaceous earth is EPA approved against indoor and outdoor crawling insects. Diatomaceous earth is USDA approved as an anti-caking agent for animal feed. Diatomaceous earth is FDA approved for internal and external use and has a rating of Food Chemical Codex Grade."
"DE manufacturers who work in diatomaceous earth mines 5 days/week advise inhaling it is not a problem (though of course, don't be snuffing it). We have not had problems when inhaling DE in small amounts. IF you have asthma or some other lung ailment, either wear a mask or be very careful when using food grade diatomaceous earth."
And the MSDS for it **Note: From distributor's web page**:
http://www.diatomitecanada.com/docs/fsf_msds_nov09.pdf
"IV. Health Hazard Data
Flash Point : Non e Flammable Limits : Non e
Extinguishing Media: Non e
Special Fire Fighting Procedures : Non e
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Non e
Threshold Limit Value: 10MG/M 3 Total Dust: Nuisance Dus t
Possible Effects of a Single overexpose
Acute Accidental Exposure would be non-specific.
Inhalation Symptoms might include coughing, wheezing, difficult
Breathing and Upper Respiratory Tract Irritation.
Skin Contac t No Known Concer n
Eye Contac t May Cause temporary discomfort and irritatio n
Ingestio n No Known Hazar d
Health 0
Flammability 0
Reactivity 0
Personal Protection E
(Fossil Shell Four Cont.) Page 2
Possible Effects of
Repeated Overexposure
Chronic Overexposure May Cause Pneumoconiosis (dusty lungs)
-No Known Hazard-
Emergency and First Aid Procedures
Remove to fresh air. If breathing is difficult,
INHALATIO N oxygen and call a physicia n
Of no general concern. Simply was with soap and
SKIN CONTAC T water .
For acute exposure, flush with water. IF irritation
EYE CONTAC T or discomfort persists, call a physician .
Ingesto n No Know Hazard .
Notes to Physician
There are no specific antidotes to acute overexposure. Treatment should
be directed at control of the symptoms.
V. Reactivity Data
Stability : Iner t Incompatibility: Non e
Hazardous Decomposition Product s Non e
Hazardous polymerization : Non e
Conditions to avoid : Non e
VI. Spill or Leak Procedures
Steps to be taken if material
is released or spille d Vacuum Clean or Wet Sweep Spillag e
Waste should be disposed of in
Waste Disposal Metho d closed containers to prevent dust .
VII. Special Protection Information
Approved dust respirators for exposure
Respiratory Protectio n to potentially high dust environments .
Ventilatio n Local Exhaust Ventilation Recommended .
Protective glove s Not Require d Eye Protectio n Safety Glasse s
Other Protective Equipmen t Not Require d
VIII. Special Precautions
Precautions to be taken in handling and storage
As with all powders, limit the creation and inhalation of dust.
Wet floor may become extremely slippery when diatomite is present."
After reading a bit of it on the MSDS sheet, I would say to just keep your rats away from where it is, especially since they walk on four paws and then clean their faces with the same paws and I'd be worried about the littlest pieces of anything in their eyes. Unless they're over rolling in it, though, I would say that inhalation with proper use of the substance is probably at a minimal, unless you're somehow kicking it up with a breeze or some other action.
However, as the FOOD labeled product is also labeled as an insecticide for fleas and intestinal parasites, I do not think that licking up small amounts of this would kill them.
Feel free to make your own decision, as my research is mostly based on several websites and an MSDS sheet which is provided by the company's research team, and while I'm sure they didn't lie, no one knew that cigarettes caused cancer for a long time, either.
Also, Asbestos causes many symptoms and what it really is is little tiny fibres which activate the body's immune system which can't break it down, and further cause scar tissue over around the little bits. My point with this is that if the rat's white blood cells can't break these down, it may cause something like asbestosis or other asbestos related diseases and cause breathing difficulties in their lives if they are exposed for too long to the dust.
I'm not sure, though as I haven't researched that far into it.
http://www.diatomitecanada.com/fsf_people.php
"It is of the highest quality available, being greater than 99.5% amorphous silica and less than 1/2%
crystalline silica. "
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/silicacrystalline/index.html --->
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2006-110/
"Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing dust that has silica in it. The term ârespirable silicaâ is used for silica particles that are small enough to be inhaled and deposited in the deepest parts of the lung. If workers inhale too much respirable silica dust, it causes scar tissue to develop in the lungs, resulting in silicosis. Lung damage may be permanent and disabling and may lead to death. There is no cure for silicosis, but it can be prevented."
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/fact ... k/asbestos
"Chemically, asbestos minerals are silicate compounds, meaning they contain atoms of silicon and oxygen in their molecular structure.
Asbestos minerals are divided into two major groups: Serpentine asbestos and amphibole asbestos. Serpentine asbestos includes the mineral chrysotile, which has long, curly fibers that can be woven. Chrysotile asbestos is the form that has been used most widely in commercial applications. Amphibole asbestos includes the minerals actinolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and amosite. Amphibole asbestos has straight, needle-like fibers that are more brittle than those of serpentine asbestos and are more limited in their ability to be fabricated ."
After reading, I'd still say, semi-safe for both you and your rats, unless breathed or ingested in large quantities, or if put in face around eyes.
It seems better than a poisonous insecticide, even contained ones, because ants don't die from those poisonous houses, they track their poisoned goodies back to the queen who eats it and they spread the poisoned food around there, when finally the colony dies out. If an ant can track that stuff all over, I'd say it may not be safe either. Plus, I have seen my rats chew through and lick things that they should not be, especially when more than one is out; it would be hard I think to keep any more an eye on them than with the diatomites. If you do use them, I do suggest being very careful and keeping the baits very out of reach of the rats, because I agree, determined rats generally get what they want, even if it's no good.
