DE Dangers?

[cleancloths]

Not exactly true, you really want to be careful not to breath in the dust -- it is really bad for the lungs. When the stuff is wet there are no concerns, but the dry dust is bad.

[vinouspleasure]

any precautions to take or just hold my breath around it?

[MaryLee]

any precautions to take or just hold my breath around it?

Actually, this is just what I do...

[tundraSQ]

wow I just read up on this a little...my pool guy told me it was completely safe and not to worry. It does contain silica ...so yes it is a dust hazard.

[waterbear]

To be completey safe when handling pool chemicals you should be wearing goves, eye protection and a resperator when working with muriatic acid, chlorine, and DE but none of us really do. Commen sense is the key. A paper resperator mask is not a bad idea when handling dry DE powder.

[CarlD]

Common sense rules.

Don't use it when it's very windy. Try to fill up your measure slowly. Pour it into the skimmer slowly so it doesn't dust up. Don't rush.

My mother used to use the DE my dad had for their filter to kill the ant colonies around the pool. She'd sprinkle it where they were and they'd disappear.

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

My mother used to use the DE my dad had for their filter to kill the ant colonies around the pool. She'd sprinkle it where they were and they'd disappear.

Carl,
You serious?? I have a ton of ant colonies in the backyard and those ant bait things aren't doing the trick. Perhaps sprinkling some DE will...