Table of Contents Page 1. Chemical Product 2 2. Composition and Information on Ingredients 2 3. Hazards Identification 3 4. First Aid Measures 4 5. Fire and Explosion Data 5 6. Accidental Release Measures 6 7. Handling and Storage 6 8. Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection 7 9. Physical and Chemical Properties 8 10. Stability and Reactivity Data 8 11. Toxicological Information 9 12. Ecological Information 9 13. Disposal Considerations 9 14. References 10 15. Appendices 11 16. Revision History 11 Page 1 of 11
1. Chemical Product Product Name: Boric acid Chemical name: Boric acid Synonyms: Boracic acid, orthoboric acid, acidum boricum. Chemical Formula: H 3 BO 3 2. Composition and Information on Ingredients Composition: Boric acid 100% by weight. Toxicological Data on Ingredients: Boric acid: ORAL (LD50): Acute: 2660 mg/kg [rat]. 3450mg/kg [mouse]. Page 2 of 11
3. Hazards Identification Potential Acute Health Effects: - Although poorly absorbed through intact skin, hazardous in case of skin contact acting as an irritant. It is readily absorbed through damaged or burned skin. - Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator). - Hazardous in case of eye contact acting as an irritant. - Hazardous in case of ingestion, being harmful or fatal in case of indigestion in sufficient volume. - Hazardous in case of inhalation acting as a mild irritant to mucous membranes. Potential Chronic Health Effects: CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: N/A MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: N/A DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: The substance may be possibly toxic to the male and female reproductive system. Boric acid may be toxic to the kidneys, the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system. Repeated or prolonged exposure to boric acid can produce target organ damage. Page 3 of 11
4. First Aid Measures General measures: Get medical attention. Show this data sheet to a physician in attendance. Skin contact: Immediately flush skin with plenty of cold water for at least 15 minutes. Then cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing and clean shoes before reuse. Consult a physician. Serious skin contact: Immediately wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with an antibacterial cream. Consult a physician. Eye contact: Check for and remove any contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with plenty of cold water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Consult a physician. Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting unless directed to by a medical professional. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Loosen tight clothing such as collar, tie, belt or waistband. Consult a physician if person is symptomatic. Stomach pumping/gastric lavage is recommended for symptomatic patients only. Serious indigestion: N/A Inhalation: Person should be removed to fresh air. If person is not breathing, give artificial respiration. If person s breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Consult a physician. Serious inhalation: N/A Page 4 of 11
5. Fire and Explosion Data Flammability of the Product: Non-flammable. Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not applicable. Flash points: Not applicable. Flammable limits: Not applicable. Products of Combustion: N/A Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Not applicable. Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: - Risks of explosion of the product in presence of mechanical impact: N/A. - Risks of explosion of the product in presence of static discharge: N/A. Fire fighting media and Instructions: Not applicable. Special Remarks on Fire Hazards: N/A. Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards: A mixture of potassium and boric acid may explode on impact. A mixture of boric acid and acetic anhydride will explode when heated to 58-60 o C. Page 5 of 11
6. Accidental Release Measures NB: Wear appropriate protective equipment/clothing including gloves before removing any spills. Small spill: Use appropriate tools such as a scoop to place the spilled solid in a suitable container for reclamation or disposal. Finish cleaning area by spreading water on the contaminated surface and dispose of according to local authority requirements. Large spill: Use a shovel to place the spilled solid in a suitable container for reclamation or disposal. Finish cleaning off the area by spreading water on the contaminated surface allowing it to evacuate through the sanitary system. 7. Handling and Storage Precautions: Wear suitable protective clothing. Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Avoid inhalation or accidental ingestion. In case of ingestion, seek medical advice immediately, and show the container or the label. In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment. Keep away from incompatible substances such as alkalis. Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated area. Do not store above 23 C. Page 6 of 11
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection Airborne Exposure Limits: - ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 10mg/m 3 total boric acid dust. - OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 15mg/m 3 total boric acid dust Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. If user operations generate dust, fumes or mist, use ventilation to keep exposure to airborne contaminants below the exposure limit. Personal Protection: Use chemical safety goggles and/or a full face shield where splashing is possible. Wear a lab coat and gloves. Maintain eye wash fountain, and quick-drench facilities in work area. Use a dust respirator. Use a self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid inhalation of the product in case of a large spill. Page 7 of 11
9. Physical and Chemical Properties Physical state and appearance: White powdered solid. Odour: Odourless. Taste: Slightly bitter. Molecular Weight: 61.83g/mole ph (1% solution/water): 5.2 (acidic) Boiling Point: 300 C (572 F) Melting Point: 169 C (336.2 F) Critical Temperature: N/A Specific Gravity (Water = 1): 1.435 Vapour Pressure (mmhg): 2.6 at 20 C (68 F) Vapour Density: N/A Volatility: N/A Odour Threshold: N/A Water/Oil Distribution Coefficient: N/A Ionicity (in Water): N/A Dispersion Properties: See solubility in water and methanol. Solubility: Soluble in hot water and methanol. Partially soluble in cold water (1 gram boric acid is soluble in 18mL cold water). Slightly soluble in acetone. 10. Stability and Reactivity Data Stability: Soluble in hot water and methanol. Partially soluble in cold water (1 gram boric acid is soluble in 18mL cold water). Slightly soluble in acetone. Corrosivity: In the present of moisture, boric acid may be corrosive to iron. Instability temperature: N/A Conditions of Instability: High temperatures, dust generations, incompatible materials. Incompatibles: Potassium, acetic anhydride, alkalis, carbonates and hydroxides. Polymerization: Will not occur. Page 8 of 11
11. Toxicological Information Toxicity to animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 2660mg/kg [Rat]. Effects on humans: Acute potential health effects: Substance is hazardous causing irritation in case of skin or eye contact, indigestion or inhalation. Gastrointestinal tract effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may occur upon ingestion. Chronic potential health effects: MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: N/A DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: The substance may be possibly toxic to the male and female reproductive system. The substance may be toxic to the kidneys, the cardiovascular system as well as the central nervous system. Repeated or prolonged exposure to boric acid can produce target organ damage. Based on animal studies, boric acid may cause adverse reproductive effects including fertility and foetal toxicity affecting genetic material and causing teratogenic effects. The substance may also affect the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, the cardiovascular, hepatic, urinary and endocrine system. Boric acid may accumulate in the body (brain, bone) with repeated exposure leading to chronic effects. Dermatitis may occur with prolonged or repeated skin contact. The substance may also cause borism characterized by dry skin, skin eruptions, and gastric disturbances. Other information: Boric acid is not a skin sensitizer. 12. Ecological Information Ecotoxicity: Boric acid is nontoxic to birds, fish, aquatic invertebrates, and relatively nontoxic to certain insects. Its herbicidal and insecticidal use may harm endangered or threatened plants as well as insects such as fleas and ants. 13. Disposal Considerations Waste Disposal: Observe all local regulations regarding disposal. Avoid unauthorised disposal. Page 9 of 11
14. References - Beyondpesticides.org. Safety Source for Pest Management, Beyond Pesticides Least Toxic Service Directory [Online]. [cited 2012 Mar 26]. Available from: URL: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/infoservices/pesticidefactsheets/leasttoxic/boricacid_bora tes_borax.htm - Grice.cofc.edu. U.S. Borax Inc. Occupational Health and Product Safety Department (661) 287-6050.20; Mule Team; Material Safety Data Sheet; Boric acid. 2000 [cited 2012 Mar 26]. Available from: URL: http://grice.cofc.edu/pdf/msds/rm209/boric%20acid.pdf - Nationaldiagnostics.com. Material Safety Data Sheet; Boric acid [Online]. 2011 [cited 2012 Mar 26]. Available from: URL: http://www.nationaldiagnostics.com/msds_product.php?products_id=126&msds_mult_nu m=0&msds_num=0 - Sciencelab.com. Material Safety Data Sheet; Boric acid, MSDS [Online]. 2010 [cited 2012 Mar 26]. Available from: URL: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsid=9927105 - Spiegel R, Meadows D. Green Building Materials: A Guide to Product Selection and Specification. John Wiley and Sons; 2010. p. 362. [cited 2012 Mar 26]. Available from: URL: http://books.google.com.mt/books?id=vfg3isobpvyc&pg=pt364&lpg=pt364&dq=b OD5+boric+acid&source=bl&ots=8axFMXJ66Q&sig=Jg6_IlD- 0f4GQVYFmHhFvkitZFc&hl=mt#v=snippet&q=boric%20acid&f=false Page 10 of 11
15. Appendices N/A 16. Revision History Version Number Amendments/ Reasons for change 01 Initial Release Page 11 of 11