Assessment of Boric Acid and Borax Using the IEHR Evaluative Process forAssessing Human Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity of Agents

摘要

This document presents an evaluation of the reproductive and developmentaleffects of boric acid, H3BO3 (CAS Registry No. 10043-35-3) and disodium tetraborate decahydrate or borax, Na2B4O2O(CAS Registry No. 1303-96-4). The element, boron, does not exist naturally. In dilute aqueous solution and at physiological pH (7.4), the predominant species in undissociated boric acid (greater than 98%), irrespective of whether the initial material was boric acid of borax. Therefore, it is both useful and correct to compare exposures and dosages to boric acid and borax in terms of 'boron equivalents', since both materials form equivalent species in dilute aqueous solution with similar systemic effects. In order to be clear in this document, the term 'boron' will refer to 'boron equivalents' or percent boron in boric acid and borax.