| Agent Name |
Sodium borate, anhydrous |
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| CAS Number |
1330-43-4 |
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| Formula |
B4-O7.2Na |
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| Major Category |
Metals |
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| Synonyms |
Anhydrous borax; Borax dehydrated; Disodium salt of boric acid; Disodium tetrabromate; Fused borax; Sodium borate (anhydrous); Sodium tetraborate; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Borate Compounds, Inorganic |
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| Description |
White to gray, odorless powder; Becomes opaque on exposure to air; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as tablets or powder to kill larvae in livestock confinements and crawling insects in residences; [EPA Pesticides] Used as a fluxing agent, a buffering agent, a biocide (preservative, antiseptic, insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, algicide, nematocide), a fireproofing agent, a corrosion inhibitor, a tanning agent, and a textile bleaching agent; Used to manufacture glazes, enamels, borosilicate glass, fertilizers, detergents, antifreeze, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics; [HSDB] |
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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] Borate dust is moderately irritating to the skin, but it is not absorbed well by intact skin. Inhalation of borate dust can cause nasal irritation, cough, and chest tightness. [EPA Pesticides] In high-dose reproductive studies of animals, boric acid causes testicular damage and fetal loss. [Frazier, p. 252-3] |
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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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| 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: SODIUM TETRABORATE
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