About Zeolite
What is Zeolite?
Zeolite [zee-o-lite] is a large family (46 varieties) of alumino-silicates. <how named>The name was originally given to the mineral by a Swedish mineralogist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt who in 1756 observed that rocks of zeolite produced large amounts of steam when heated and appeared to dance around as the water in them evaporated. The name comes from his interpretation of what was happening. He used the Greek words 'ζέω' 'zeo' (to boil or boiling) and 'λίθος' 'lithos' (stone). Zeolite is a natural occurring crystalline mineral formed over millions of years ago when volcanic ash fell into, and reacted with, alkaline groundwater. Once deposited, the ash has been compressed over a long period of time to form a hard rock material. <formation/types>Clink link to read more about how zeolite was formed, where zeolites are located and the different types of zeolites. Otherwise move the cursor out of the box and continue reading.
Zeolite has a unique open, micro-porous molecular structure that, when seen through an electron microscope has a honeycomb or ocean-sponge like appearance with thousands of microscopic openings. These microscopic openings, channels, chambers, cavities, cells, (we will call them cages), which form this intricate honeycomb structure, carry a natural, strong, negative charge.
It is the zeolite's negatively charged honeycomb structure that makes the mineral so vitally important. It has given the mineral the ability to trap and remove many of the positively charged damaging toxins, chemicals and heavy metals that are all around us which have found their way into the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. <structure>Clink link to read more about the type of zeolite we use and its molecular structure and its image. Otherwise move the cursor out of the box and continue reading.
The strength of the negative charge can be measured and is called its 'cation exchange capacity or CEC' (its ability to exchange one cation [cat-ion] with another). <cations>Clink link to read more about what are cations and what is the cation exchange and why is it so important. Otherwise move the cursor out of the box and continue reading. The cages or openings are often identical in shape but vary in size and have the ability to attract, pull into the cages and trap there (hence the name), any positive charged particles found in any fluids, solutions or water and air passing around, through or over the zeolite.
Scientific research over a long period of time has indicated that certain types of zeolites cause no internal damage if ingested or inhaled. <safety/toxicology>There are 16 pages of safety and toxicology information which can be accessed through the Science / Research button available on the left of this page. But to continue reading this page first just move the cursor out of the pop-up box In fact, zeolites have been used for hundreds of years as a human body cleanser and, beginning in the twentieth century, in industry to collect, filter and extract many different organic compounds and metals from fluids. <uses>Clink link to read more about some of the current uses of both natural and synthetic zeolites. Otherwise move the cursor out of the pop-up box.
Where zeolite is used in the products manufactured by this Company, the mineral is only sourced from one mine in Australia. <why Australian zeolite>Clink link to read more about why we use only zeolite mined in Australia and photos of the zeolite we use. Otherwise move the cursor out of the pop-up box.