Studies on the Pneumoconiosis in "Diatomaceous-earth" Industries

Diatomaceous Earth for Pest Control

Least toxic physical and chemical solutions are often part of an IPM program. Various forms of amorphous silica are commonly used as part of this strategy. Diatomaceous earth and silica gel are used in various physical formulations with or without added pesticide. The type of silica and the formulation depend on the target pest. In this issue advantages and disadvantages of diatomaceous earth a...

Fuller's earth (montmorillonite) pneumoconiosis.

A fuller's earth worker developed signs of pneumoconiosis. Pathological examination of the lung tissues showed interstitial collections of dust laden macrophages associated with mild fibrosis. Mineralogical analysis showed a high content of montmorillonite. This study shows that a pneumoconiosis can result from prolonged heavy exposure to calcium montmorillonite (fuller's earth) in the absence ...

Mortality among workers in the diatomaceous earth industry.

A cohort mortality study was conducted among workers from two plants in the diatomaceous earth mining and processing industry in California. Diatomaceous earth consists of the skeletal remains of diatoms. Exposure to amorphous (non-crystalline) and crystalline silica in the form of quartz results from open pit mining and exposure to crystalline silica (principally cristobalite) occurs in the pr...

Quantification of historical dust exposures in the diatomaceous earth industry.

Quantitative estimates of dust exposure in a diatomaceous earth (DE) mining and milling operation have been derived based on air sampling records for the period 1948-1988. A total of 6395 records was included in the analysis. Conversion of results obtained by particle counting, expressed as millions of particles per cubic feet (mppcf) of gravimetrically from a filter cassette and expressed as m...

Pneumoconiosis due to Fuller's earth.