Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Diatomaceous Earth and Shellfish Allergies?
Q. Hello, My name is Matthew. I am the assistant facilities director of an Athletic club. I have a "potential" member who extremely allergic to shrimp and other shellfish. She is concerned with the use of shrimp or any type of sea shells used as a chemical treatment or in the filtration process of our spas and pool. We use DE in our filtration process.
My question is: Is the use of "Diatomaceous Earth" in a pool's filtration process a health hazard/issue to any person(s) having allergies to Shrimp and other shellfish products?
Matthew V [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]athletic club - Seattle, Washington, United States
2004
A. Hi Matthew.
Unfortunately your question remains unanswered after a very long time, and I don't want the site to be questions without answers :-)
Diatomaceous earth is dried algae rather than shellfish. With nothing to go on, I personally wouldn't expect it to be a problem, but I have no qualifications or experience in this I'm afraid. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. My Friend is highly allergic too and got his all over him today after treating his animals and now broke out in hives all over. I wouldn't use it.
A SomersStay at home mom - Abilene Texas
December 7, 2021
February 26, 2012
Q. What about Aluminium oxide ingested daily in the form of diatomaceous earth mixed into a glass of water? How toxic might that be?
I have a friend gone crazy, who is holistically trying to treat herself for some imagined "worm" by drinking this mixture twice a day! Aside from the obvious abrasive issue (!), what about toxicity to the kidneys and nervous system? I appreciate a response from anyone who knows the effects this might have on a human being.
Many thanks!
February 27, 2012
A. Hi, Sherry. Diatomaceous earth is not aluminum oxide; it's mostly silica, although it might contain a few percent aluminum oxide.
Apparently food-grade diatomaceous earth is widely used in the fashion your friend is using it, but usually on animals, less commonly by people. I don't know the usual dose, but apparently health food stores sell it.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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