this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2025
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Actually diatomaceous earth isn't silica - it's fossilized diatom skeletons that works by physically cutting insects' exoskeletons causing them to dehydrate, not by affecting thier lungs.
{Diatomaceous earth (/ˌdaɪ.ətəˈmeɪʃəs/ DY-ə-tə-MAY-shəs), also known as diatomite (/daɪˈætəmaɪt/ dy-AT-ə-myte), celite, or kieselguhr, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that can be crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth)
If you inhale it in significant quantity, you'll end up with silicosis.