Agent Name |
Boron oxide |
CAS Number |
1303-86-2 |
Formula |
B2-O3 |
Major Category |
Metals |
Synonyms |
Boric acid (HBO2), anhydride; Boric anhydride; Boric oxide; Boric oxide (B2O3); Boron oxide (B2O3); Boron sesquioxide; Boron trioxide; Diboron trioxide; Fused boric acid; [ChemIDplus] |
Category |
Metalloids and Compounds |
Description |
Colorless, semitransparent lumps or hard, white, odorless crystals; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used to produce elemental boron, heat-resistant glass, fire-resistant paint, electronics, and herbicides; Derived by heating boric acid; [Hawley] |
Comments |
An eye and respiratory irritant; See "Boric acid." Boron is a "hepatotoxic agent." [Zimmerman, p. 4] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TLV (ACGIH) |
10 mg/m3 |
PEL (OSHA) |
15 mg/m3, total dust |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
2000 mg/m3 |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Rats exposed for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 10 weeks to a concentration of 470 mg/m3 showed no signs of intoxication other than mild nasal irritation [Wilding et al. 1959]. |
Half Life |
Whole body (for boron administered orally): completely removed within 96 hours; [TDR, p. 205] |
Reference Link |
ATSDR ToxFAQs - Boron |
Adverse Effects |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: BORON OXIDE
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