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]
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
PEL (OSHA)
15 mg/m3, total dust
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]
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: