Boron oxide

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
Metalloid Compounds (Boron)
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]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
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 #2

Adverse Effects

Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: