[Califreak]

I was just wondering if diatomaceous earth could prevent ebola

Opinions?

Anybody?

[Smokin' Joe]

If you bury contaminated materials with enough, perhaps, but as a diet supplement, I doubt it would do any good.

It is a great filtering material, though.

If you put it under a good microscope, you will see the skeletal remains of plankton (diatoms) usually composed of silica (quartz). The lattice like structure makes diatomaceous earth a great filtering material, and it is also used a a carrier for pyrethrum as an insecticide/repellant (The pyrethrum is derived from chrysanthemums and is the active ingredient, the diatom structures irritate insects and work into the joints in their exoskeleton).

If you were looking for a chelating agent, zeolites might work better, but even that is likely ineffective against a virus (more useful for capturing positively charged metallic ions and heavier metals).

[Blue Highway]

You talking about taking the food safe variety of Diamatacheous Earth orally?

[wafflehouse]

I was just wondering if diatomaceous earth could prevent ebola

on the off chance you were actually serious, the answer would be NO.