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Date of Issue : May 1999 1. IDENTIFICATION
General Product Name : BORIC ACID Other Names : BORACIC ACID; ORTHOBORIC ACID; BOROFAX UN No. : N/A Dangerous Goods Class : None Allocated Subsidiary Risk : None Allocated Hazchem Code : N/A Pack Group : 0 EPG : N/A Poisons Schedule : 5 Uses : For weatherproofing wood and fireproofing fabrics; as a preservative; manufacture cements, crockery, porcelain, enamels, glass, borates, leather, carpets, hats, soaps, artificial gems; in nickeling baths; cosmetics; printing and dyeing, painting; photography; for impregnating wicks; electric condensers; hardening steel; fungus control on citrus fruits.
1.1 Physical Description / Properties
Appearance : White powder or granules Formula : H3BO3 Boiling Point : 2315 deg C Melting Point : 170.9 deg C Vapour Pressure : N/A Specific Gravity : 1.435 (water = 1) Flash Point : N/A pH : () Solubility in water : 4.7% g/l (25 deg C) Flammability Limits (as percentage volume in air) Lower Explosion Limit : N/A Upper Explosion Limit : N/A 1.2 Other Properties
When heated above 100oC, it loses water and gradually turns into metaboric acid HBO2, which may exist in one of three crystal modifications. These have melting points of 176 oC, 201oC & 236oC. On continued heating all water is removed of which crystalline form melts at 450oC. 1.3 Ingredients
2. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
2.1 Health Effects - Acute Swallowed
Symptoms may include headache, excitement, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stupor and coma. May cause circulatory system failure. May cause central nervous system depression, characterised by excitement, followed by headache, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea. Advanced stages may cause collapse, unconsciousness, coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. May cause digestive tract disturbances. Eye
May cause eye irritation. Skin
Causes skin irritation. May be absorbed through damaged or abraded skin in harmful amounts. Inhaled
May cause respiratory tract irritation. 2.2 Health Effects - Chronic
Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause gastrointestinal irritation and kidney damage.
2.3 First Aid
Swallowed
Induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water. Get medical aid immediately.
Eye
Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention.
Skin
Flush skin with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical aid if irritation develops or persists.
Inhaled
Get medical aid immediately. Remove from exposure to fresh air immediately. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
First Aid Facilities
Ensure an eye bath and safety shower are available and ready for use.
2.5 Advice to Doctor
Treat symptomatically based on judgement of doctor and individual reactions of patient.
2.6 Toxicity Data
Oral LD50 = 2660 mg/kg (Rat) ; 3450 mg/kg (Mouse) Oral LDLo = 200 mg/kg (Woman) Dermal LD50 = not available Inhalation LCLo = 28 mg/m3/4hrs (Rat) Not listed as a carcinogen by ACGIH, IARC, NIOSH, NTP or OSHA. Teratogenicity : decreased foetal weight, oral Rat, 13.3 mg/kg/D Reproductive effects : Maternal : ovaries/fallopian tubes, oral Rat, TDLo = 45 g/kg (90D male) Paternal : spermatogenisis, oral Rat, TDLo = 52 mg/kg (male 26W pre)
3. PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
3.1 Exposure Standards
The following exposure is recommended by Worksafe : Borates, tetra, sodium salts : TWA 1 mg/m3
3.2 Engineering Controls
Use adequate general or local exhaust ventilation to keep airborn levels below the permissable exposure limits.
3.3 Personal Protection
Respiratory protection : Not required unless there is heavy dust occurrence in which case a protective mask is recommended. Skin protection : loose-fitting long sleeved shirt, long pants, rubber gloves. Eye protection : Safety goggles with side shields or goggles. Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling and before work breaks, eating, drinking, smoking and using toilet facilities.
3.4 Flammability
Material is non-flammable. SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION
4.1 Storage / Transport
Store in a cool, dry well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials, heat and direct sunlight. No special storage or transport requirements exist.
4.2 Packaging / Labelling UN No. N/A Class None Allocated Sub Risk None Allocated Hazchem Code N/A Pack Group 0 EPG No. N/A Shipping Name BORIC ACID Hazard
Risk Phrases
Safety Phrases S20 When using, do not eat or drink. S24/25 Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
4.3 Spills and Disposal
Spills
Clean-up personnel should wear full protective clothing including breathing apparatus in dusty conditions. Avoid generating dusty conditions.
Vacuum or sweep up spill and place material in suitable containers and hold for disposal. Flush spill area with copious quantities of water after pickup.
Disposal
Dispose of in accordance with all Local, State and Federal regulations at an approved waste disposal facility. Can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste.
4.4 FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD Fire / Explosion
Stable at room temperature in closed containers under normal storage and handling conditions. Avoid high temperatures. Incompatible with acetic anhydride and potassium. Reacts with basic materials to form borate salts. There are no hazardous decomposition products. Hazardous polymerisation has not been reported.
Extinguishing Media
Fire-fighters should wear full protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus. In case of fire, use water, foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical type extinguishers. Use equipment/media appropriate to surrounding fire conditions. 5 OTHER INFORMATION
Other Information
Ecotoxicity : Mosquito fish (fresh water) TLm = 1800 ppm/24hr No other data available
5.1 Contact Points
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The information above is believed to be accurate and represents the best information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use.
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