This management strategy, without the use of insecticides, is essentially to reduce the parasitic load of infested locations. Non-chemical controls consist of several options mainly based on mechanical, physical, or biological control of bed bug infestations.
Diatomaceous earth dust is one of the non-chemical methods used frequently against pest insects. The first application of diatomaceous earth as a pesticide was reported in Bunch et al. Depending on the granularity, this powder can have an abrasive property.
Additionally, it has a low density as a result of its high porosity. The diatoms found in diatomaceous earth are made up of silica, a common component of the earth's natural rock, sands, and clays. The silica reacts commonly with oxygen and water to form silicon dioxide. Most diatomaceous earth is made of silicon dioxide. Based on the literature, several publications have reported the effectiveness of diatomaceous earth in controlling bed bugs Akhtar and Isman , Singh et al.
Diatomaceous earth adheres to the body of the bed bug and damages the protective waxy layer of the bed bug cuticle by sorption and abrasion. These particles penetrate the bed bug body and get stuck between its exoskeleton joints. When the bed bug moves, these sharp particles physically cut the bug organs. Consequently, it causes the loss of water from the bed bug's body and ultimately death. Different commercial forms of diatomaceous earth have been introduced against bed bugs.
They include CimeXa Lilly et al. The component assessment of these diatomaceous earth insecticides reveals that most of them are composed entirely of amorphous silicon dioxide and consequently are harmful to human health by inhalation Fig. In fact, inhaled particles accumulate in the bronchi, pulmonary alveoli, lung tissue, and lymph nodes and are not eliminated from the body Pratt The repeated use of diatomaceous earth insecticides is responsible for many diseases, including silicosis Hughes et al.
In addition to these problems, the diatomaceous earth can cause skin irritation and dryness. It can irritate the nose and nasal passages during the breathing. In case of large amounts inhalation, it can contribute to coughing and shortness of breath.
The silicosis and related problems can potentially occur 1 after chronic effects, i. Furthermore, evidence of tolerance to silica-based desiccant dusts has been reported in the bed bug population Lilly et al. Considering hazard of diatomaceous earth to human health, the recommendations can be 1 to remove DEs after the applications, 2 to have DEs with increased particle sizes that may have reduced risks, 3 to use DEs in restricted areas that limit direct exposures, 4 to use DEs in baiting stations, etc.
Aak , A. Roligheten , B. Rukke , and T. Desiccant dust and the use of CO 2 gas as a mobility stimulant for bed bugs: a potential control solution? Pest Sci. Google Scholar. Akhtar , Y. Horizontal transfer of diatomaceous earth and botanical insecticides in the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. Benoit , J. Phillips , T.
Croxall , B. Christensen , J. Yoder , and D. Addition of alarm pheromone components improves the effectiveness of desiccant dusts against Cimex lectularius. Bunch , T. Bond , K. Buhl , and D. Gallagher , L. Park , and H. Extended follow-up of lung cancer and non-malignant respiratory disease mortality among California diatomaceous earth workers.
Hughes , J. However, because this type of silica does not mix with fluids, it is not well absorbed — if at all. Some researchers speculate that silica may release small but meaningful quantities of silicon that your body can absorb, but this is unproven and unlikely 8.
For this reason, consuming diatomaceous earth probably has no meaningful benefits for bone health. One major health claim for diatomaceous earth is that it can help you detox by cleansing your digestive tract. This claim is based on its ability to remove heavy metals from water, which is the property that makes diatomaceous earth a popular industrial-grade filter However, no scientific evidence verifies that this mechanism can be applied to human digestion — or that it has any meaningful effect on your digestive system.
To date, only one small human study — which was conducted in 19 people with a history of high cholesterol — has investigated diatomaceous earth as a dietary supplement.
Participants took the supplement three times daily for eight weeks. At the end of the study, total cholesterol went down by One small study found that diatomaceous earth can lower cholesterol and triglycerides.
The study design was very weak and further research is needed. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe to consume. It passes through your digestive system unchanged and does not enter the bloodstream. Doing so will irritate your lungs much like the inhalation of dust — but the silica makes it exceptionally harmful. Inhaling crystalline silica can cause inflammation and scarring of your lungs, known as silicosis. This condition, which occurs most commonly in miners, caused approximately 46, deaths in alone 13 , However, long-term inhalation can still damage your lungs Food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe to consume, but do not inhale it.
It can cause inflammation and scarring of your lungs. However, while some supplements can boost your health, there is absolutely no evidence that diatomaceous earth is one of them. If you want to improve your health, your best bet is to change your diet and lifestyle. Here are five pieces of advice to maintain optimal lung health and breathing capacity, from staying far away from cigarettes to adopting a consistent…. This is a detailed, evidence-based review of the 12 most popular weight loss pills and supplements on the market today.
In another rat study, the only effect was more rapid weight gain. When guinea pigs were forced to breathe air containing diatomaceous earth for 2 years, there was slightly more connective tissue in their lungs.
When researchers checked before the 2-year mark, no effects were found. A very small amount of crystalline diatomaceous earth may be found in pesticide products. Long-term inhalation of the crystalline form is associated with silicosis, chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory problems.
The bulk of diatomaceous earth is amorphous , not crystalline. The amorphous form is only associated with mild, reversible lung inflammation. Children may be especially sensitive to pesticides compared to adults. However, there are currently no data to conclude that children have an increased sensitivity specifically to diatomaceous earth.
Silicon is a major component of diatomaceous earth. It is the second most abundant element in soils. It's a common component of rocks, sands, and clays. It is also abundant in plants and plays a role in their growth and development. Due to its chemical makeup, diatomaceous earth is not degraded by microbes or by sunlight.
Also, it does not emit vapors or dissolve well in water. The ocean contains vast amounts of diatomaceous earth. Many marine organisms use it to build their skeletons. Diatomaceous earth is practically non-toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. It is commonly encountered by birds and other wildlife , and it's not known to be harmful. However, no toxicity evaluations for wildlife were found.
Agencies have stated that diatomaceous earth is unlikely to affect birds, fish, or other wildlife in a harmful way. Diatomaceous earth is made of silicon dioxide. When chickens were fed a diet that contained less silicon dioxide than normal, their bone formation was harmed. This suggests that silicon dioxide plays an important role in bone formation. NPIC provides objective, science-based answers to questions about pesticides.
Please cite as: Bunch, T. NPIC fact sheets are designed to answer questions that are commonly asked by the general public about pesticides that are regulated by the U. Environmental Protection Agency U. This document is intended to be educational in nature and helpful to consumers for making decisions about pesticide use.
NPIC provides objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions.
Environmental Protection Agency cooperative agreement X The information in this publication does not in any way replace or supersede the restrictions, precautions, directions, or other information on the pesticide label or any other regulatory requirements, nor does it necessarily reflect the position of the U.
0コメント