Frequently Asked Questions

Do EPA registrations apply to this product?

Our FOSSIL SHELL FLOUR is not sold as an insecticide and therefore does not require EPA registration.

EPA (The Environmental Protection Agency) was formed by Congress for the purpose of registering and regulating the use and sale of toxic materials. Probably the most important thing they oversee for the health and safety of the nation are insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.

For example, anyone wanting to market a product claiming to kill insects must apply to EPA for a registration number, with acceptable data presented. On acceptance by EPA, a number is assigned to the product and the manufacturer can begin production and sales.

Any product offered for insect control not having an EPA number is in violation of the law and the seller can be subject to serious penalties. Perma-Guard insecticides have all the necessary EPA registrations.

Is Diatomaceous Earth hazardous?

The IPM Practitioner, Monitoring the Field of Pest Management, William Quarles, Volume XIV, Number 5/6, May/June 1992 offers information on the safe and not safe types of Diatomaceous Earth.

Diatomaceous Earth used in pool (any water) filtration contains Diatomaceous Earth that has been chemically treated and heated making the silica crystalline which is a dangerous respiratory hazard and lethal if ingested. The fresh water naturally occurring Diatomaceous Earth deposits that are designated "Food Grade" by the FDA have less than 1% crystalline silica and all other sediment that are considered unsafe are also below harmful limits. These deposits are primarily Amorphous Silica which is harmless when ingested and is commonly used in feed and food industries.

The Department of Agriculture in Michigan said in a letter "Our animal pathologist has examined the vital organs and intestinal components submitted, both macroscopically and microscopically, and has found no visible evidence of organ abnormalities.

These components consisted of brain, thyroid, rib section, lung, heart, liver, true stomach, small intestine section, large intestine section, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and forestomach.

These organs were submitted under affidavit as being from a slaughtered dairy cow having FOSSIL SHELL FLOUR added to the feed for approximately five years."

University of Illinois, referring to tests run on dairy cattle fed 2% of FOSSIL SHELL FLOUR as an anti-caking agent in their rations, stated there was no apparent harmful effect and that there was no evidence of the Diatomaceous Earth in the milk.

The University of Arkansas did a study to determine whether the addition of Diatomaceous Earth was harmful to chickens. Their conclusion: "It posed no threat."