| Agent Name |
Borates, decahydrate |
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| CAS Number |
1303-96-4 |
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| Formula |
B4-O7.2Na.10H2-O |
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| Major Category |
Pesticides |
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| Synonyms |
Borax; Borax decahydrate; Sodium borate decahydrate; Sodium tetraborate decahydrate; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Other Insecticides |
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| Description |
White, odorless, crystalline solid. [herbicide] [Note: Becomes anhydrous at 608 degrees F.] [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a preservative, antiseptic and fungicide; also used to manufacture glazes, enamels, soldering fluxes and cleaning compounds and to fireproof textiles and wood; [ACGIH] Boric acid and borates as tablets or powder are used to kill larvae in barns and other insects in houses. Rarely, they are sprayed as herbicides. [EPA: Recognition of Pesticide Poisonings] Used in photo developing bath; [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] |
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| Comments |
Borax dust is a skin and respiratory irritant. [ACGIH] Borax (borax decahydrate) is found naturally in some salt lakes and alkaline soils. Boric acid is formed by crystallizing a solution of hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid and borax. [Hawley] Repeated skin exposure may cause dermatitis; Toxic by ingestion with effects on the liver, kidneys, and CNS; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
2 mg/m3, inhalable fraction |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
6 mg/m3, inhalable fraction |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: BORAX
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