Boric Acid

Boric acid

Boric acid is a common ingredient in many household and hygienic products that can, when overused or consumed, cause skin reactions, hair loss, and serious illness. Use it carefully.

Where Found

• Antiseptics and astringents
• Enamels and glazes
• Glass fiber manufacturing
• Medicated powders
• Skin lotions
• Some paints
• Some rodent and ant pesticides
• Photography chemicals
• Powders to kill roaches

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Poisoning

From the National Pesticide Information Center, the main symptoms of Boric Acid poisoning, if boric acid is eaten, are:

Nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, and diarrhea. Diarrhea and vomit may have a blue-green color. Eating extreme amounts has resulted in a red, "boiled lobster" like skin rash, followed by skin loss. People who breathed in borax had a dry mouth, nose, and throat. Coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, and nose bleeds have also been reported. Infants are more sensitive to pesticide exposures. Some infants that ate large amounts of boric acid also had nervous system effects. These include abnormal postures, convulsions, confusion, and coma.  

For more information, visit the National Pesticide Information Center: Boric Acid Fact Sheet

Boric acid and its sodium borate salts are pesticides that we can find in nature and many products. Borax is one of the most common products. Boric acid and its sodium salts each combine boron with other elements in a different way. In general, their toxicities each depend on the amount of boron they contain.

Boric acid and its sodium salts can be used to control a wide variety of pests. These include insects, spiders, mites, algae, molds, fungi, and weeds. Products that contain boric acid have been registered for use in the United States since 1948.

For more information, Boric Acid from Wikipedia

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