Is diatom mud toxic and harmful?

As a new decorative wall material, diatom mud has received mixed reviews. Many people don’t know much about it. Diatom mud is a kind of wall material made from the products of dead diatoms mixed with common building materials such as lime or gypsum. Because it is purely natural and can be considered as waste utilization, it gives people a sense of nature. In recent years, it has become popular in decorating house walls.

Benefits of diatom mud

1. Environmental protection

It does not produce toxic gases, but can absorb harmful gases and purify the air.

2. Adjust the air humidity

It has the functions of moisture-proof, mildew-proof and dehumidification.

3. No dust

It is not easy to generate static electricity and dust is not easy to fall on the wall surface.

4. Long service life

The service life is thirty years or more, which is longer than that of wallpaper and latex paint.

5. Thermal insulation

It has good thermal insulation and heat preservation effects, which are 6 times that of cement mortar.

6. Not easy to fade

The color is soft and not easy to fade, which is good for the health of your family.

7. Clean and self-clean

The porous structure can decompose oil molecules. It is a natural mineral, does not contain heavy metals, is not easy to generate static electricity, and does not absorb dust.

8. Sound absorption and noise reduction

Utilizing numerous microporous structures, it can effectively absorb and block volume, shortening reverberation by 50%.

9. Fire retardant

It is made of inorganic materials, is resistant to high temperatures, does not burn when exposed to fire, and does not produce toxic gases.

10. Soft colors

It is a matte wall material with soft light, which is not easy to cause visual fatigue and reduces the rate of myopia.

11. Release negative oxygen ions

The unique molecular sieve structure produces a "waterfall effect" when in contact with water, releasing beneficial negative oxygen ions.

Disadvantages of diatom mud

1. Cannot be scrubbed

The wall cannot be scrubbed with a rag, because during the scrubbing process, the dirt and water will be absorbed into the gaps, forming permanent pollution and cannot be cleaned.

2. Not resistant to dirt

Diatomaceous earth is generally light-colored. Children will inevitably leave various stains while playing. Although they can be wiped off with an eraser, this method is not effective.

3. Not waterproof

Diatom mud is not waterproof and cannot be used in humid places, such as kitchens and bathrooms. This is the limitation of diatom mud.

4. Clean regularly

Diatomaceous earth can absorb harmful substances. If it is not cleaned for a long time, the wall surface will easily change color, making cleaning more difficult.

5. Poor hand feel

The surface of diatomaceous earth is rough and uneven, and it does not have the smoothness of paint, which is a slight disadvantage for people who don't like it.

6. The colors are not rich enough

Compared with wallpaper, diatom mud patterns are monotonous and the shapes are not rich enough.

7. Poor hardness

The hardness cannot be compared with that of ceramic tiles. Diatomaceous earth of poor quality will fall off piece by piece after being hit.

8. Expensive

The price of diatom mud is high, generally around three to four hundred yuan per square meter. It is recommended that you choose according to the actual situation of your family.