---
title: Today is National Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Day!
description: National Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Day is August 31 and we're celebrating the incredible mineral that comes from 10 million year old fossilized algae.
image: https://blog.epminerals.com/hs-fs/hub/327292/file-658552888.jpg
---

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# Incredible Minerals Today

## [Today is National Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Day!](https://blog.epminerals.com/celebrate-national-diatomaceous-earth-de-day-on-august-31-0-0)

Posted by [Julie Brown](https://blog.epminerals.com/author/julie-brown)

 Aug 31, 2017 5:46:31 AM

![HB_Mine_Pics_003.jpg](https://blog.epminerals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HB_Mine_Pics_003.jpg?width=640&name=HB_Mine_Pics_003.jpg) *Diatomaceous earth being mined at EP Minerals' Lovelock, NV mine*

Most people know of diatomaceous earth because they use it to filter their swimming pools or for its natural insecticide properties to control insects in their homes or gardens. Biologists know about diatoms, the single-celled plants that form diatomaceous earth, because they are truly the lungs of the earth, in that they produce about ¾ of the world’s new oxygen supply. Materials scientists know about diatom skeletons (called frustules), the tiny, intricate porous opal structures, because they are known to be the strongest naturally-occurring substances.

On **August 31**, we celebrate **National Diatomaceous Earth Day** to recognize the diatom and the remarkable substance it creates, diatomaceous earth.

Diatomaceous earth, also known as DE, is a sedimentary rock found in large deposits worldwide and mined primarily in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Peru, France, Spain, Denmark, and China. While still being formed today, some of the deposits of diatomaceous earth were formed millions of years ago. Diatomaceous earth deposits are formed as diatoms die and fall to the bottom of bodies of water. Over time, the organic portions of the diatoms are weathered away and the remaining opal frustules form diatomaceous earth. Some of the largest deposits in the U.S. were formed in ancient lakes in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, and some large deposits were also formed in oceans and occur along the coasts of North and South America.

*![DE_day.jpg](https://blog.epminerals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DE_day.jpg?width=222&name=DE_day.jpg)National Diatomaceous Earth Day is on August 31 every year*

Discovered by Peter Kasten in Germany around 1836, DE is known for its absorbency, filtration properties, polishing properties and stabilizing qualities. Long before Kasten's discovery, though, the world was using diatomaceous earth. Ancient Greeks used it as an abrasive as well as a building material in light-weight bricks, and, even in pre-historic times, diatomite was used in the ice-age cave paintings in France. Learn more: [Read about DE, the fossilized algae](https://blog.epminerals.com/diatomaceous-earth-unlock-the-gigantic-power-of-tiny-prehistoric-fossils)

![DE-Mines4-650x375-web.jpg](https://blog.epminerals.com/hs-fs/hub/327292/file-658552888.jpg?width=320&name=file-658552888.jpg) *Diatomaceous earth rocks at the EP Minerals' Lovelock mine*

Today, DE is one of the most useful and durable substances known. DE sees nearly ubiquitous use in the filtration of liquids, including, beer, wine, water (for swimming), chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals; DE provides the flatting in almost all flat paints; DE prevents blocking in plastic film and when oil is spilled, DE is often the first choice to absorb it. And there are hundreds of other applications for DE with many more yet to be discovered!

![Single_Diatom_-_Large.jpg](https://blog.epminerals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Single_Diatom_-_Large.jpg?width=173&name=Single_Diatom_-_Large.jpg)*A single diatom under the microscope*

**HISTORY**

EP Minerals founded National Diatomaceous Earth Day to celebrate this fascinating naturally bio-engineered material, and the Registrar at National Day Calendar approved the day in 2016. So, celebrate National Diatomaceous Earth Day with us today!

[![Learn more about diatomaceous earth (DE), the world's most incredible mineral](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/327292/8b1f7733-cac4-47f0-8e63-f4dea3dc76f8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/327292/8b1f7733-cac4-47f0-8e63-f4dea3dc76f8)

 Topics: [Diatomaceous Earth](https://blog.epminerals.com/topic/diatomaceous-earth)

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Incredible Minerals Today gives readers insights and information about new exciting uses for diatomaceous earth, perlite and clay around the world today, plus the latest information about EP Minerals. 

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