Diatomaceous Earth: Claims Checked (Food Grade vs Pool Grade)
Diatomaceous earth checked against sources: what it is, the breathing hazard from fine dust and crystalline silica, why "food grade" is not a health claim, and what was found on parasite cleanses.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read natural ingredient safety before you use anything on this page.
What is Diatomaceous Earth good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
'Food grade' does not mean health benefit
Not enough evidenceNPIC says food-grade products are purified and that FDA lists diatomaceous earth as generally recognized as safe. That describes a food-processing ingredient, not a finding that swallowing improves health.
Supplements: No good evidence of benefit for swallowing.
'Parasite cleanse' for people: claim check
Not enough evidenceSellers say food-grade diatomaceous earth kills worms in people. Our searches returned insect and livestock work only; Proper evidence not found for people.
Supplements: No good evidence of benefit.
Silicon source, cholesterol or fats: claim check
Lab or animal research onlyA 2025 one-week study in healthy female rats reported more silicon absorption and lower after-meal triglycerides. NPIC says very little is absorbed when it is eaten.
Supplements: Lab or animal only; no human data read.
'Detox' claim
Not enough evidenceWe found no human study of diatomaceous earth for detox. NCCIH reports a 2015 review that found no compelling research that detox diets remove toxins.
Supplements: No good evidence of benefit.
In cosmetics
Clinically supportedA 2026 cosmetic-ingredient expert panel concluded diatomaceous earth is safe in cosmetics at current use and concentration. NPIC notes it can dry and irritate skin and eyes.
Supplements: Applies to cosmetic use only.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (3)
- Respiratory HealthDocumented risk
Dust is the main hazard.
- Respiratory SystemDocumented risk
Breathing crystalline silica is linked with silicosis.
- Integumentary SystemDocumented risk
The powder can dry or irritate skin; safe in cosmetics per an expert panel.
Body parts (3)
Root causes (1)
- Environmental ToxinsDocumented risk
Crystalline silica dust exposure is the documented hazard.
Biomarkers (1)
- TriglyceridesLab or animal research only
After-meal triglycerides fell in a one-week study in healthy female rats; no human data read.
Conditions & symptoms (1)
- SilicosisDocumented risk
Crystalline silica, which can be present or formed on heating, is linked with silicosis; a necropsy study describes fatal silicosis from calcined diatomaceous earth.
Documented risks and interactions (3)
- Breathing the dust (silicosis risk). NPIC says long-term inhalation of crystalline silica is linked to silicosis; the amorphous form is linked to mild, reversible lung inflammation. A necropsy study of a worker found severe silicosis from calcined diatomaceous earth that contained 36 percent cristobalite.
- Skin, eyes and nose irritation. NPIC says the powder can irritate the nose, skin (dryness) and eyes because it is abrasive.
- Medicines, pregnancy, children, kidney. The sources we read do not describe interactions with medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding effects. NPIC found no data that children are more sensitive to diatomaceous earth specifically.
Breathing the dust is the main documented hazard. Fine diatomaceous earth dust can irritate the nose and, in large amounts, cause coughing and shortness of breath. [1] Forms that contain crystalline silica are linked with silicosis, a serious lung disease. [1] If someone has swallowed a pesticide-type product or is struggling to breathe, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 for trouble breathing. [1]
What diatomaceous earth is
Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms, whose skeletons are made of silica. [1] Most of it is amorphous (non-crystalline) silicon dioxide, but it can contain very low levels of the crystalline form. [1] It is used in many ways. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) says more than 150 pesticide products are registered, and thousands of non-pesticide products also contain it, including skin care products, toothpastes, foods, beverages and medicines. [1] A 2021 review describes its main use against pests that live in dry places, such as stored-product pests and bed bugs. [2] NPIC explains that it works on insects by absorbing oils and fats from the outer shell, so they dry out. [1]
"Food grade" and "pool grade"
NPIC says "food grade" products are purified and notes that the FDA lists diatomaceous earth as "Generally Recognized as Safe." [1] That describes a food-processing ingredient; it is not a finding that swallowing it improves health.
Heat treatment matters. Reports of severe silicosis from calcined (heat-treated) diatomaceous earth exist, and one analysis of a commercial calcined sample found 36% cristobalite, a crystalline silica. [3] A 1995 review says crystalline silica, a known human toxicant, is formed when biogenic silica is heated. [4] We did not find a source we could read that defines "pool grade" or compares grades for swallowing. If a label does not say what the product is and what it contains, a reader cannot tell which kind it is. See Natural Ingredient Quality and Labels.
The claims, checked
| Claim as marketed | What the sources found | Evidence label |
|---|---|---|
| Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a "parasite cleanse" | Proper evidence not found for people. We searched PubMed for diatomaceous earth with worm, helminth and parasite terms, and for human or randomized studies; results were about insects, crops and livestock. A 2019 livestock review lists "natural anthelmintic" among proposed uses. [5] | Marketing claim; livestock use only |
| It is a source of absorbable silicon | NPIC says very little is absorbed when it is eaten. [1] A 2025 one-week study in healthy female rats reported increased silicon absorption and lower after-meal triglycerides. [6] | Preclinical (animals); sources differ |
| It "detoxes" the body | We found no human study of diatomaceous earth for this. NCCIH cites a 2015 review that found no compelling research for detox diets (not this product) to eliminate toxins. [7] | No good evidence of benefit |
| It is safe in cosmetics | A 2026 expert panel concluded it is safe in cosmetics at current use and concentration. [8] | Applies to cosmetics, not swallowing |
Animal results do not show what happens in people. See also Parasite Cleanse Claims Checked and Detox Claims.
What a reader can safely do
Do not swallow pesticide-labeled products. Do not breathe the dust. If you are thinking about a "cleanse" for suspected parasites, see a clinician, who can test for them. For wider swallowing hazards see Natural Substances Not Meant to Be Swallowed, and for what to do first after a poisoning see Poisoning: What to Do First.
Frequently asked questions
Is food-grade diatomaceous earth safe to eat?
NPIC says the FDA lists it as generally recognized as safe, but we found no human evidence of health benefit. [1]
Does diatomaceous earth kill parasites in people?
Proper evidence not found. Our PubMed searches returned insect and livestock work only.
Why is the dust a problem?
Crystalline silica is linked with silicosis, and fine dust can irritate the airways. [1]
Is pool-grade diatomaceous earth the same?
We found no source that defines it. Heat-treated products can contain crystalline silica. [3]
Is it safe on the skin?
A cosmetic expert panel found it safe in cosmetics as used, though NPIC notes it can dry and irritate skin. [8]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety by group
- Breathing: OSHA describes silicosis from respirable crystalline silica as an incurable lung disease that can lead to disability and death. [9] NPIC says long-term inhalation of the crystalline form is associated with silicosis and chronic bronchitis, while the amorphous form is associated only with mild, reversible lung inflammation. [1]
- Skin and eyes: NPIC says it can irritate the eyes and cause skin dryness. [1]
- Children: NPIC found no data showing children are specifically more sensitive to diatomaceous earth. [1] Keep pesticide-type products away from children and pets.
- Medicines, pregnancy and breastfeeding, kidney and liver disease, allergy, pre-surgery: not described in the sources we read, so we make no claims. Ask a pharmacist or clinician.
- Dating: the NPIC fact sheet we read was last reviewed in January 2013.
References
- Bunch TR, Bond C, Buhl K, Stone D. Diatomaceous Earth General Fact Sheet. National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services. Reviewed January 2013. Read 2026-10-23.
- Zeni V, Baliota GV, Benelli G, et al. Diatomaceous earth for arthropod pest control: back to the future. Molecules. 2021. PubMed 34946567. Read 2026-10-23.
- Barbieri PG, Somigliana A, Carradori G. Severe silicosis due to diatomaceous earth in dental alginate: a necropsy study. Med Lav. 2020. PubMed 32624564. Read 2026-10-23.
- Rabovsky J. Biogenic amorphous silica. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1995. PubMed 8929705. Read 2026-10-23.
- Ikusika OO, Mpendulo CT, Zindove TJ, Okoh AI. Fossil shell flour in livestock production: a review. Animals (Basel). 2019. PubMed 30813550. Read 2026-10-23.
- Redondo-Castillejo R, Hernandez-Martin M, Issa-Garcia JA, et al. Diatomaceous earth supplementation as a bioavailable silicon source modulates postprandial lipid metabolism in healthy female rats. Nutrients. 2025. PubMed 40806037. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). "Detoxes" and "Cleanses": What You Need To Know. Last updated March 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety assessment of diatomaceous earth as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2026. PubMed 42252560. Read 2026-10-23.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (US). Respirable crystalline silica. Read 2026-10-23.