| Agent Name |
Sodium borate, 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 |
Metals |
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| Synonyms |
Borax; Borax decahydrate; Sodium borate decahydrate; Sodium tetraborate decahydrate; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Borate Compounds, Inorganic |
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| Description |
White, odorless, crystalline solid; 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] 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] |
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| Comments |
The basis for the TLV for inorganic borate compounds is irritation of the nose and respiratory tract. Studies of workers exposed to sodium borate dusts found no evidence of pulmonary function or reproductive impairment. [ACGIH] 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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| Explanatory Notes |
TLV is for "Borate compounds, inorganic" for "all forms of sodium borate and boric acid." [ACGIH] |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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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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