Subject: diatomaceous earth is toxic
Date: Jul 18 09:53:38 2004
From: Wheelan Drew - amazilia55 at yahoo.com


As far as I know DE is NOT non-toxic. While it may
not contain chemically toxic compounds, it is very
harmful to the lungs. Warnings on the label advise
not to breath it. I have worked around this substance
quite a bit, in gardens, and at wineries for use in
filtration. Small particulates are very harmful to
the lungs, and are one of the main causes for lung
cancers. I see that the abstract does not mention
anything about mortality rates of the Tree Swallows,
as a two year study would have difficulty looking at
that.
I know how sensitinve my lungs are, and can only
imagine the possible sensitivity a 15- 20 gram bird
might have to a substance such as this, in its packed
and tight living quarters, with young birds moving
around, ruffling their feathers, wrestling for the
next delivery of food, etc...
Not poo-poooing the idea, nor the study, but as we
endeavor to "manage" our wild, native birds we must
think about every possible facet, and it seems in this
case one was overlooked.
Drew Wheelan
Maple Falls, WA
awheelan at hermaninstitute.org



__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign!
http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/yahoo/votelifeengine/