Is Diatomaceous Earth Harmful to Septic Tanks?
I've just started taking the DE and am bathing in it in an attempt to cure my very persistant eczema but am concerned about the possible harm it may be doing to my septic tank. I live in rural SW France with no mains drainage. If DE attacks the bad bacteria then won't it be 'eating' the bacteria needed in the tank to break down the waste? Any clues anyone?
Tennessee
06/27/2016
Dear Dee,
Now that is a good question! As someone with a septic tank also, I can certainly appreciate the concern! (I just never thought to be concerned until you brought this up.)
From what I read, DE has a positive electric charge and that "bad" bacteria would be attracted to it and removed from the body (septic tank, too, maybe?), but that good bacteria would not be harmed by it. Also, the typical mechanism for DE seems to be that its sharp edges are cutting small insects and parasites. I am not aware of them having this effect on the cell wall of bacteria, but I admit I haven't studied it either.
Perhaps our Chemical Engineer, Robert Henry would have some wisdom for us here on the subject?
Meanwhile, if you are concerned, for your eczema, you could try one of Earth Clinic's many other great remedies, or make a paste with DE in it to use topically for eczema.
~Mama to Many~
Ten Mile, Tn.
06/28/2016
MAMA TO MANY,,,,,,,, you give me too much credit. This is not a chemical reaction but one concerning biology. What we do know is that because of all our sanitary products that septic systems are not as efficient as they once were before we started using all these products.
Your logic of how DE works is what the Big Boys around the pool table say. Sorry, but my contribution would be a guess. We do take DE and use it on our garden plants to kill insects.
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