Borax

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency overview Ingestion: May be harmful if swallowed. Products containing Borax is a white, odorless, powder substance that is not Borax are not intended for ingestion. Borax has a low acute flammable, combustible, or explosive and has low acute oral and toxicity. Small amounts (e.g., a teaspoon) swallowed accidentally dermal toxicity. are not likely to cause effects; swallowing amounts larger than that Potential ecological effects may cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Large amounts of Borax can be harmful to plants and other Cancer: Borax is not a known carcinogen. species. Therefore, releases to the environment should be Reproductive/developmental: Suspected of damaging fertility or minimized. the unborn child. Animal ingestion studies in several species, at high doses, indicate that borates cause reproductive and

Potential health effects

developmental effects. A human study of occupational exposure to

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation is the most significant route of borate dust showed no adverse effect on reproduction. exposure in occupational and other settings. Dermal exposure is Target organs: No target organ has been identified in humans. not usually a concern because Borax is poorly absorbed through High dose, animal ingestion studies indicate the testes are the intact skin. target organs in male animals. Inhalation: Occasional mild irritation effects to the nose and Signs and symptoms of exposure: Symptoms of accidental throat may occur from inhalation of Borax dust at levels greater over-exposure to Borax might include nausea, vomiting and than 10 mg/m3. diarrhea, with delayed effects of skin redness and peeling. Eye contact: Causes serious eye irritation. These symptoms have been associated with the accidental Skin contact: Borax does not cause irritation to intact skin. overexposure to the chemically related substance boric acid. (Refer to Section 11 for details on Toxicological data).