Diatomaceous Earth

[Erichalfbee]

I find all thongs alarming - especially when worn by certain of our male crew members

ooops

 

[Karol]

The alarming thong is that it's sold openly to dust all over your chickens

Very much so. 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

IPF:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopathic_pulmonary_fibrosis


PS - thank you for cheering me up - alarming thong - he he!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Seen too many people in my family battle for breath thanks to silicosis (hard headings miners most of my lot!) to even think about using that stuff

 

[hiveabee]

We share the same profession

It will kill bees, and it will also kill you if you inhale it. As a pest controller, I have stopped recommending liberal dusting of hens, or anywhere else where dust may be inhaled.