From the Guidelines
There is no evidence to suggest that a person can develop botulism from exposure to diatomaceous earth soil. Botulism is caused by toxins formed by the anaerobic, gram-positive bacterium C. botulinum and, rarely, by strains of closely related species, as stated in the clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of botulism, 2021 1. The bacterium typically grows in environments with little to no oxygen, such as improperly canned foods, wounds, or in the intestines of infants who consume honey. Diatomaceous earth, which consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, does not naturally harbor C. botulinum bacteria nor provide suitable conditions for their growth and toxin production.
The primary health concerns with diatomaceous earth relate to respiratory issues from inhaling the dust, particularly from the industrial grade form, which can cause lung irritation or silicosis with long-term exposure. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is considered generally safe for consumption, though it should be handled carefully to avoid inhalation. The lethal doses for purified crystalline botulinum toxin type A for a 154-lb (70-kg) man are estimated to be 70 μg when introduced orally and 0.80–0.90 μg when inhaled, as reported in the study 1. However, these doses are not relevant to diatomaceous earth exposure, as it does not contain C. botulinum bacteria.
Key points to consider:
- Diatomaceous earth does not harbor C. botulinum bacteria
- The substance does not provide suitable conditions for C. botulinum growth and toxin production
- Primary health concerns with diatomaceous earth are related to respiratory issues from inhaling the dust
- Food-grade diatomaceous earth is considered generally safe for consumption, but should be handled carefully to avoid inhalation
- There is no evidence to suggest a link between diatomaceous earth exposure and botulism, as stated in the clinical guidelines 1.
From the Research
Botulism and Diatomaceous Earth
- There is no direct evidence to suggest that a person can develop botulism from exposure to diatomaceous earth soil 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Botulism is a rare disease caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can be found in soil, but it requires specific conditions to produce the toxin 2, 4.
- Diatomaceous earth is a type of soil that is made up of the fossilized remains of diatoms, and it has been shown to affect the behavior of insects, such as flour beetles, by inhibiting egg cannibalism 6.
- However, there is no evidence to suggest that diatomaceous earth can cause botulism in humans or that it can lead to the production of the botulinum toxin 2, 3, 4, 5.
Mechanisms of Botulism
- Botulism can be caused by the ingestion of foods contaminated with the botulinum toxin, wound botulism, infant botulism, or adult intestinal toxemia botulism 2.
- The toxin can also be inhaled, which can lead to inhalational botulism, or it can be injected, which can lead to iatrogenic botulism 2, 3, 4.
- The treatment of botulism mainly consists of anti-toxin therapy and, if necessary, intensive care to prevent organ failures, including respiratory support 2, 3, 4.