Borax

381.37200

382.08700

603-411-9|615-285-2

91MBZ8H3QO

0567

DTXSID2034384

White, monoclinic crystals|Hard crystals, granules or crystalline powder; efflorescent in dry air, the crystals often being coated with white powder|Crystalline granules or crystalline powder|White, crystalline solid [Note: Becomes anhydrous at 608 degrees F]

28401990

184.57000

-2.74580

Colourless to grey-white crystals or powder

1.73 g/cm³

75 °C

320 °C

Index of refraction: 1.447 (alpha); 1.469 (beta); 1.472 (gamma)

H2O: 60 G/L (20 ºC)

Store at RT.

Approximately 0 mm Hg|0 mmHg (approx)

Odorless

Alkaline

A 2.6% solution is iso-osmotic with serum|Moh's hardness: 2.3|Loses water of crystallization when heated, with melting, between 75 °C and 320 °C; fuses to a glassy mass at red heat (borax glass); effloresces slightly in warm, dry air|Degree of hydration: 36.5% B2O3|Stable

Noncombustible Solid (an inherent fire retardant).

Solutions are not a corrosion hazard to ferrous metals.

II

3

UN 1458

1

R62

S22; S24/25; S36/37

VZ2275000

Xn

Stable at room temperature in closed containers under normal storage and handling conditions.

P201-P280-P308 + P313

H360FD

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.|SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.|Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber.|Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

Zirconium, strong acids, metallic salts.|Incompatible with alkaloidal salts, mercuric chloride, zinc sulfate, and other metallic salts. ... With gums and mineral acids.

Borax is an indirect food additive for use only as a component of adhesives.|Textiles & textile fibers may be safely used as articles or components of articles intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding food, subject to the provisions of this section. Borax is included on this list for use as a preservative only.

USEPA/Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances; Reregistration Eligibility Decision Document - Boric Acid and its Sodium Salts (September 1993). The RED summarizes the risk assessment conclusions and outlines any risk reduction measures necessary for the pesticide to continue to be registered in the U.S.[Available from, as of February 21, 2014: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/status.htm]|USEPA/Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances; Report of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Tolerance Reassessment Eligibility Decision (TRED) for Boric Acid/Sodium Borate Salts (July 2006). EPA issues a TRED for a pesticide that requires tolerance reassessment decisions, but does not require a reregistration eligibility decision at present because: the pesticide was initially registered after November 1, 1984, and by law is not included within the scope of the reregistration program; EPA completed a RED for the pesticide before FQPA was enacted on August 3, 1996; or the pesticide is not registered for use in the U.S. but tolerances are established that allow crops treated with the pesticide to be imported from other countries.[Available from, as of February 21, 2014: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/status.htm]|California Environmental Protection Agency/Department of Pesticide Regulation; Toxicology Data Review Summaries. Boric Acid and related inorganic Borates.[Available from, as of May 6, 2005: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/risk/toxsums/toxsumlist.htm]

Not combustible.

|Danger|H360FD: May damage fertility; May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]|P201, P202, P281, P308+P313, P405, and P501|H360 (98.74%): May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]|Aggregated GHS information provided by 2864 companies from 22 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.|H303: May be harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]|P201, P202, P260, P264, P270, P280, P281, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P307+P311, P308+P313, P312, P314, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P405, and P501

/Workers should wear/ protective gloves. Local exhaust or breathing protection /are needed/.|Wear goggles or eye protection in combination with breathing protection if powder.|Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.|Eye/face protection: Safety glasses with side-shields conforming to EN166 Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).|For more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Complete) data for BORAX (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.|(See protection codes)

Not combustible.

A mixture of hydrated borax and zirconium explodes when heated.

Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.|Use extinguishing measures that are appropriate to local circumstances and the surrounding environment.

Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust.|Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.|Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains.

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.|Keep out of reach of children ... Wash thoroughly after handling.|SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses by industrial workers is inconsistent. The benefits or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.|The worker should wash daily at the end of each work shift, and prior to eating, drinking, smoking, etc.|For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for BORAX (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

... Borax ... /is an irritant/ ... when in contact with mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and other sites in the respiratory tract and skin.|... May produce irritation of the nasal mucous membranes, the respiratory tract, and eyes. /Boron compounds/

Vacated 1989 OSHA PEL TWA 10 mg/cu m is still enforced in some states. /Borates, tetra, sodium salts (decahydrate)/

Recommended Exposure Limit: 10 Hour Time-Weighted Average: 5 mg/cu m.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

Well closed. Dry.

Evaporation at 20 °C is negligible; a harmful concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached quickly , especially if powdered.

The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system and kidneys. This may result in impaired functions.

Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. The substance may have effects on the testes. Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxicity to human reproduction or development.

PREVENT DISPERSION OF DUST! STRICT HYGIENE!

Use local exhaust or breathing protection.

Protective gloves. Protective clothing.

Wear safety spectacles or eye protection in combination with breathing protection.

SOURCE DOMINATED: Concentrations of borax dust ranging from 1.1 to 14.6 mg/cu m have been reported in large borax mining and refining plants(1).

Alteration of borate toxicity has been demonstrated in young, 4 to 6 wk old mice by simultaneous administration of d-glucose with borax. Least toxic were molar ratios of 1:1.5 and 1:2 borax-d-glucose, which reduced mortality from 100% to 45 and 37.5% ... Borax ... complexes with polyhydroxy compounds in aqueous solution, resulting in altered toxicities.

/OTHER TOXICITY INFORMATION/ Fatal doses for humans are variously estimated to be 5 to 6 g for children and 10 to 25 g for adults.

LD50 Rat oral 396-689 mg boron/kg|LD50 Rat oral 5.66 g/kg (SRP: 5,660 mg/kg)|LD50 Mouse oral 2000 mg/kg|LD50 Mouse ip 2711 mg/kg|For more Non-Human Toxicity Values (Complete) data for BORAX (12 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Extensive tincal (borax ore) deposits are found in the Mojave Desert, US and in Turkey(1,2), and Argentina(2).|Boron is widely distributed in the environment. ... Borax, kernite, and tourmaline are three of the more commonly mined boron minerals. /Boron/|The most common boron containing ores are alkali and alkaline earth borates, including borax (Na4B4O2.10H2O), kernite (Na2B4O7.4H2O), colemanite (Ca2B6O11.5H2O), and ulexite (NaCaB5O9.8H2O)(1), and as borosilicate minerals(3). Boron containing mineral are concentrated in arid regions, such as Turkey and California's Death Valley(2). /Boron/

Borax production and use in soldering metals, manufacture of glazes and enamels, tanning, curing and preserving skins, buffers, as a complexing or masking agent in analytical chemistry, fireproofing fabrics and as a pharmaceutic aid (alkalizer) may result in its release to the enviornment through various waste streams(SRC). Its use as in cleaning compounds, artificially aging wood, as a preservative, either alone or with other antiseptics against wood fungus, fireproofing wood, in cockroach control(1), use in ant poisons, and for fly control around refuse and manure piles as a larvicide(2) will result in its direct release to the environment(SRC).

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Boron is naturally occurring and ubiquitous in the environment. No microbial degradation. Disappearance from soil is by washing out. Persistence in soil is about 2 years, depending on rainfall and soil structure.

Borax is stable to hydrolysis and photolysis(1).

In a greenhouse experiment with sandy loam soil treated with 0-8.0 ppm boron as borax, boron toxicity symptoms appeared earliest in lentil plants and barley seedlings exposed to 8.0 ppm boron. In barley the severity of boron toxicity decreased with the decrease in boron levels, whereas in lentil the severity of the symptoms eventually reached the same level in 2 and 4 ppm boron treatments as with the highest concentration. Dry matter yield decreased 38.6% in lentil and 23.4% in barley exposed to 8.0 ppm boron in comparison with controls. Boron contents of lentil and barley plants on soil treated with 8 ppm boron were approximately 7- and approximately 8-fold those of control plants, respectively.

EXPERIMENTAL: Two cows received 18-23 g/day sodium borate in their feed for 42 days. Sodium borate was excreted in the urine, feces, and milk. There was no detectable retention in the body and borate excretion returned rapidly to pre-experiment levels after the experiment.|These compounds /boric acid and borax/ may enter body by inhalation, ingestion or by skin absorption through mucous membranes or skin burns. ... Elimination is mainly in urine but also to a lesser extent in feces, milk and sweat.

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 443,687 workers (88,699 of these were female) were potentially exposed to borax in the US(1). The NOES Survey does not include farm workers. Occupational exposure to borax may occur through inhalation of dust and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where borax is produced or used. Monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to borax via dermal contact with this compound or other consumer products containing borax(SRC).|Concentrations of borax dust ranging from 1.1 to 14.6 mg/cu m have been reported in large borax mining and refining plants(1).|These compounds /Boric acid & borax/ may enter body by inhalation, ingestion or by skin absorption through mucous membranes or skin burns.

Borax has a feeble bacteriostatic action similar to that of boric acid. It is not used internally. Applied externally it is mildly astringent and was formerly used as a gargle or mouthwash in the treatment of aphthous ulcers and stomatitis, as a lotion in bromidrosis and inflammatory conditions of the eye, and as a nasal douche.|Borax Glycerin and Honey of Borax were formerly used as paints for the throat and tongue and to alleviate dryness of mouth but excessive use may cause toxic effects, they should not be used. /Borax Glycerin and Honey of Borax/|Borax was used for treatment of 31 patients suffering from skeletal fluorosis. The amount administered was gradually increased from 300-1100 mg/day during a three month period, with one week resting period each month. Experimental criteria included observation of symptoms, of physical signs such as movement of joints, and urinary excretion of fluoride and boron tetrafluoride. Findings in patients given borax were compared with data obtained from controls to whom no borax was administered. Borax appeared to be effective.|Clinically, sodium borate and boric acid have been used as irrigants, dressings, antiseptics, buffers, and preservatives.|EXPTL THER: Sodium borate and boric acid are used or have been tested for medical purposes in many foreign countries. /In Japan,/... 5% sodium borate is sprayed on the skin following application of analgesic agents to form a transparent, flexible, water-resistant film. ...In India, a formulation of "indigenous Indian drugs" and 25% sodium borate is reported to be a long-acting (4 months) oral contraceptive; it has been reported that the drug acts by inhibiting endometrial alkaline phosphatase and preventing ovum implantation. ...In Russia, sodium borate is administered orally to patients with hepatocerebral dystrophy to remove accumulated pathological quantities of copper from the body.

Borax and boric acid used in powders and ointments have resulted in serious poisonings and death.

Fatal doses for humans are variously estimated to be 5 to 6 g for children and 10 to 25 g for adults.

A 1 mL oral dose of borax solution was given orally to male Wistar rats at eleven concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 mg boron/L). Twenty four hour urine samples were analyzed and the reported recovery was 99.6 +/- 7.9%.|These compounds /boric acid and borax/ may enter body by inhalation, ingestion or by skin absorption through mucous membranes or skin burns. Absorption through damaged skin is rapid and almost complete; absorption also occurs through undamaged skin but not to sufficient extent to cause poisoning. Following absorption, there is a rise in concentration of boron in cerebrospinal fluid, but highest concentrations are found in brain tissues, liver and adipose tissue. Repeated doses have cumulative effect with retention ... greatest in bone tissue. ... Elimination is mainly in urine but also to a lesser extent in feces, milk and sweat.|... Absorption and transportation greatest via roots; moves to growing parts of plant.|In a carefully conducted human in vivo study, found that only 0.23, 0.21, and 0.12% of a saturated dose of boric acid, borax, and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, respectively were absorbed.|For more Absorption, Distribution and Excretion (Complete) data for BORAX (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

... Readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and excreted in the urine with a half-life of about 24 hours.|... A group of rats (n = 10) was dosed intravenously with borax at 0.4 mg boron/100 g of body weight. The following kinetic parameters were reported: elimination half life was 4.64 hr; total clearance was 0.359 mL/min per 100 g body weight.

(See procedures)

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible).

Emergency and supportive measures: Maintain an open airway and assist ventilation if nescessary. Treat coma, seizures, hypotension, and renal failure if they occur. /Boric acid, Borates, and Boron/|Decontamination: Administer activated charcoal (although boric acid is not well absorbed). Consider gastric lavage for large ingestions. /Boric acid, Borates, and Boron/|Enhanced elimination: Hemodialysis is effective and is indicated after massive ingestions and for supportive care of renal failure. Peritoneal dialysis has not proved effective in enhancing elimination in infants. /Boric acid, Borates, and Boron/|In acute poisonings, if a large amount has been ingested and the patient is seen within one hour of exposure, gastrointestinal decontamination should be considered ... .It is important to keep in mind that vomiting and diarrhea are common, and severe poisoning may be associated with seizures. Therefore induction of emesis by syrup of ipecac is probably contraindicated in these exposures. Catharsis is not indicated if diarrhea is present. /Boric acid and Borates/|For more Antidote and Emergency Treatment (Complete) data for BORAX (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ A cumulative irritancy test was used to study the effect of repeated exposure of a hair preparation containing 3.2% sodium borate and a cleansing cream containing 1.7% sodium borate on the skin of 12 and 14 subjects, respectively. The test material was applied under an occlusive patch to the backs of subjects daily for 21 consecutive days. Sites were scored one hour after patch removal. Applications 4 to 21 of the hair preparation produced erythema and papules in most subjects; the total cumulative irritancy score was 571 (maximum =630). The cleansing cream caused slight erythema in two subjects only, resulting in a total irritancy score of 6.4. The investigators concluded that, under the condition of the study, the hair preparation was a "mild to moderate" cumulative irritant, whereas the cleansing cream was practically nonirritating. /3.2% and 1.7% Sodium borate formulations/|/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ The Kligman maximization procedure was used to study the sensitizing potential of a hair preparation containing 3.2% sodium borate in 25 subjects. The material was initially applied under a 48 hr patch to each subject to determine whether sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) pretreatment was required. The test material was found to be irritating; it was determined that SLS treatment was unnecessary. The undiluted hair preparation was applied under occlusion to one arm of each subject for 48 hr. This procedure was repeated every other day for 10 days (5 application). 10 days after removal of the fifth induction patch, a 48 hr occlusive challenge patch was applied to a fresh site. Sites were scored at 48 and 72 hr. The hair preparation containing 3.2% sodium borate induced no irritation during challenge phases of the test; this product was determined to be nonsensitizing when applied to human skin. /3.2% Sodium borate formulation/|/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ Two cleansing creams, each containing 1.7% sodium borate, were assayed in panel tests. In each study, panelists were given the product and asked to use it daily for 2 weeks. In a group of 100 subjects, one cream produced no irritation. In the other panel, which included 90 subjects, there was one report of irritation; a subject accidentally instilled some of the cream into her eyes. A stinging sensation was experienced; however, the irritation subsided following eye rinse. /1.7% Sodium borate formulation/|/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Workers industrially exposed to borax often suffer from chronic eczema. Long-term exposure to borax dust may lead to inflammations of the mucous membranes of the airways (bronchitis, laryngitis) and to conjunctivitis.|For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for BORAX (20 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

disodium borate, heptahydrate

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.|inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

irritation eyes, skin, upper respiratory system; dermatitis; epistaxis (nosebleed); cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty)

Cough. Sore throat.

Redness.

Redness. Pain.

Eyes, skin, respiratory system

(For borax decahydrate, pentahydrate, & anhydrous): 23% as component of insulation glass fibers; 20% as germicide in household cleaning products; 11% as component of borosilicate glasses; 8% as flux in enamels, frits, & glazes; 8% as chemical intermediate for perborates; 7% as nutrient in fertilizers; 5% as antifreeze corrosion inhibitor; 4% as chemical intermediate for derivatives other than perborates; 3% as nonselective herbicide; 11% as algicide in water treatment; 1% as flame retardant & as metallurgical flux; 10% in misc applications (1975)|Glass fiber insulation, 18%; textile glass fiber, 11%; chemical fire retardants, 15%; borosilicate glass, 5%; soap and detergents, 4%; misc, 13%; exports, 44% (1985)

Grades: crystals; granulated; powdered (refined, USP); CP /chemically pure/; Technical|Technical borax is a herbicide; "Nippon" insecticide. Mixtures include: borax + bromacil; borax + sodium chlorate|Refined borax is technically known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate and is 99% pure|BOROCIL mixture (borax plus bromacil); UREABOR mixture (borax plus monuron)|For more Formulations/Preparations (Complete) data for BORAX (36 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Laboratory Use|Borax (B4Na2O7.10H2O): ACTIVE|The WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard identifies borax (technical grade) as Class III: slightly hazardous; Main Use: fungicide, other than for seed treatment.|Borates were known before Babylonian times to be useful as a flux for welding gold and have been found in enamels from China as early as 300 B.C. At the end of the 13th century Marco Polo brought borax from Mongolia to Europe. This became the primary European source for use as a soldering and aneameling agent.

In plant material: (b) ignite with barium hydroxide, extract ash with dilute acetic acid & determine Colorimetrically with p-nitrobenzeneazo-1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid: Austin CM & Mchargue JS, J Assoc of Agric Chem 31: 427 (1948).|Airborne borax ... may be collected as aqueous solution in impingers. Metallic ions may be determined by titration with dilute hydrochloric acid. Acidic B2O3 moiety may then be measured by complexing with mannitol & titrating with dilute NaOH.|An automated fluorometric method is described for measuring boron in compounds such as boric acid, borax, & sodium perborate in water & sewage effluents.

EPA Safer Chemical Functional Use Classes -> Enzymes and Enzyme Stabilizers|Safer Chemical Classes -> Yellow triangle - The chemical has met Safer Choice Criteria for its functional ingredient-class, but has some hazard profile issues