BORIC ACID

Chemical Identification
CAS #	10043-35-3
Formula	BH₃O₃
Synonyms	Basilit B; boracic acid; borofax; boron trihydroxide; orthoboric acid; trihydroxyborone

Physical Properties
Physical description	Odorless white solid.
Boiling point	572°F	Molecular weight	61.83
Freezing point/melting point	340°F	Vapor pressure
Flash point		Vapor density
Specific gravity	1.435	Ionization potential
Lower explosive limit (LEL)		Upper explosive limit (UEL)
NFPA health rating		NFPA fire rating
NFPA reactivity rating		NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	B141 (total); request using analyte code 9135
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media	Tared low-ash 37 mm PVC filter, 5 microns [SLTC108]
Sampling time^*	240-480 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	960 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	2 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	Gravimetric
Method reference	OSHA PV2121 (partially validated)
Notes	If the net weight of the sample yields a concentration below the PEL after considering the associated SAE , the SLTC will perform no further work on the sample and the sample air concentration will be reported as the calculated gravimetric air concentration. If the net weight corresponds to an amount greater than the PEL value after considering the associated SAE, the sample may be analyzed for the applicable component and appropriate results will be reported.
Special requirements	FOR TOTAL DUST SAMPLES, DO NOT USE A CYCLONE!!!

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA		REL-TWA		TLV-TWA	2 mg/m³ (inhalable particulate matter) [2004]	PEL-TWA
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL	6 mg/m³ (inhalable particulate matter) [2004]	PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	NA	Skin notation	NA	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	NA
Notes: Not established		Notes: Not established		Notes:		Notes: Not established
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH
Carcinogenic classifications: TLV-A4		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Boric Acid

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Boric Acid

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Borate compounds, inorganic. See annual publication for most recent information.
California Department of Health Services-Drinking Water Program: Drinking Water Notification Levels, 2005.
U.S. EPA Integrated Risk Information System: Toxicological Review of Boron and Compounds (CAS 7440-42-8), 2004 (EPA 635/04/052).
Chapin, R.E., et al.: The effects of dietary boron on bone strength in rats. Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 35(2): 205-215, 1997.
Garabrant, D.H., Bernstein, L., Peters, J.M. and Smith, T.J.: Respiratory and eye irritation from boron oxide and boric acid dusts. J. Occup. Med. 26(8): 584-586, 1984.
Ku, W.W. and Chapin, R.E.: Mechanism of the testicular toxicity of boric acid in rats: in vivo and in vitro studies. Environ. Health Perspect. 102(Suppl. 7): 99-105, 1994.
Moore, J.A., et al.: An assessment of boric acid and borax using the IEHR evaluative process for assessing human developmental and reproductive toxicity of agents. Reprod. Toxicol. 11(1): 123-160, 1997.
Pahl, M.V., Culver, B.D. and Vaziri, N.D.: Boron and the kidney. J. Ren. Nutr. 15(4): 362-370, 2005.
Park, M., Li, Q., Shcheynikov, N., Zeng, W. and Muallem, S.: NaBC1 is a ubiquitous electrogenic Na+-coupled borate transporter essential for cellular boron homeostasis and cell growth and proliferation. Mol. Cell 16(3): 331-341, 2004.
Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Boron, Boric Acid and Borax. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 355-357.

Last Updated Date : 12/18/2020

BORIC ACID

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References