Boric Acid

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Boric Acid is a white, odorless, crystalline substance that is not flammable, combustible, or explosive, and it presents no unusual hazard if involved in a fire. Boric Acid presents little or no hazard (to humans) and has low acute oral and dermal toxicities. Care should be taken to minimize the amount of Boric Acid released to the environment to avoid ecological effects. ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: In the occupational setting, inhalation is the most important route of exposure. Dermal absorption is usually not important because Boric Acid is not absorbed through the intact skin. INHALATION: Mild irritation to nose and throat may occur when the PEL or TLV are exceeded (see Section 15). EYE CONTACT: Exposure to Boric Acid dust does not cause eye irritation in normal industrial use. DERMAL CONTACT: Boric Acid is non-irritating to the intact skin. Can be readily absorbed through broken or abraded skin. INGESTION: Boric Acid products are not intended for ingestion. Amounts greater than one teaspoonful, when ingested, may cause gastrointestinal problems. CANCER: Boric Acid is not considered a carcinogen. REPRODUCTIVE: A human study of occupationally exposed Borate worker population showed no adverse reproductive effects. Animal studies of similar organic Borates demonstrated reproductive effects in males. TARGET ORGANS: No target organs have been determined in humans. High dose animal ingestion studies indicate that the testes is the target organ. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE: Symptoms of accidental over-exposure to Boric Acid have been associated with ingestion or by absorption through large areas of damaged skin. These may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, with delayed effects of skin redness and peeling. See Section 11 for details on Toxicological Data.