Agent Name
Sodium metaborate
Synonyms
Boric acid (HBO2), sodium salt; Borosoap; Kodalk; Sodium borate; Sodium borate (NaBO2); Boric acid, monosodium salt; Sodium metaborate, anhydrous; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Metalloid Compounds (Boron)
Description
White solid; [Merck Index] Hydrate: Cream colored powder; [MSDSonline] Commercially available as octahydrate and tetrahydrate; [HSDB]
Sources/Uses
Used in cleansers, detergents, adhesives, and photographic solutions; Also used as a fire retardant in sodium chlorate, a defoliant; a textile finishing agent, and a sequestrant; Tetrahydrate: Used as an insecticide, fungicide, nematocide, and herbicide (non-crop land, cotton production, and under asphalt); Workers in mining and processing are exposed; [HSDB]
Comments
A skin irritant; Toxic by ingestion; Oral LD50 (rat) = 2330 mg/kg; [HSDB] Also found commercially as octa- and tetrahydrate; [Hawley] No published studies on reproductive effects; See boric acid; [REPROTOX] A strong oxidizing agent; An irritant; [MSDSonline] See "Boric acid."
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: