Boron sodium oxide (B8Na2O13)

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Pesticide disposal: Wastes resulting from the use of this product may be disposed of on site or at an approved waste disposal facility. Container disposal: Completely empty bag into application equipment. Then dispose of empty bag in a sanitary landfill or by incineration, or if allowed by state and local authorities, by burning. If burned, stay out of smole. /98% Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place. /Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

Users should wash hands before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco or using the toilet. /98% Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.

Users should remove clothing immediately if pesticide gets inside. Then wash thoroughly and put on clean clothing. /98% Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for DISODIUM OCTABORATE (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

An exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is established for residues of the pesticidal chemical boric acid and its salts, borax (sodium borate decahydrate), disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, boric oxide (boric anhydride), sodium borate and sodium metaborate, in or on raw agricultural commodities when used as an active ingredient in insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides preharvest or postharvest in accordance with good agricultural practices. /Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

Mixers/loaders, applicators and other handlers must wear: long-sleeve shirt and long pants, shoes plus socks, protective eyewear, chemical resistant gloves (such as barrier laminate, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, polyvinyl chloride or viton) and a respirator with a dust,f ume, mist removing cartridge in accordance with NIOSH Guidelines; 42 CFR Part 84, when occupational exposure limits are exceeded. /98% Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

Wear a dust mask, gloves, and goggles when cutting or handling treated or untreated wood. Whenever possible perform these operations outdoors to avoid indoor accumulations or airborne sawdust.

The inorganic borates display low acute toxicity. They are either not irritant or mild skin and eye irritants. They are not skin sensitisers, nor are they mutagenic or carcinogenic. The most sensitive endpoints of toxicity are considered to be effects on the reproductive organs, fertility in males, and developmental effects. The doses that cause these effects are far higher than any levels to which the human population could be exposed... /Inorganic borates/

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ... Human volunteers were dosed with 10B-enriched boric acid, 5.0%, borax, 5.0%, or disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, 10%, in aqueous solutions. Urinalysis, for boron and changes in boron isotope ratios, was used to measure absorption. Boric acid in vivo percutaneous absorption was 0.226 (SD = 0.125) mean percentage dose, with flux and permeability constant (Kp) calculated at 0.009 ug/sq cm/hr and 1.9 x 10-7 cm/hr, respectively. Borax absorption was 0.210 (SD = 0.194) mean percentage of dose, with flux and Kp calculated at 0.009 ug/sq cm/hr and 1.8 x 10-7 cm/hr, respectively. DOT absorption was 0.122 (SD = 0.108) mean percentage, with flux and Kp calculated at 0.01 ug/sq cm/hr and 1.0 x 10-7 cm/hr, respectively. Pretreatment with the potential skin irritant 2% sodium lauryl sulfate had no effect on boron skin absorption. In vitro human skin percentage of doses of boric acid absorbed were 1.2 for a 0.05% solution, 0.28 for a 0.5% solution, and 0.70 for a 5.0% solution. These absorption amounts translated into flux values of, respectively, 0.25, 0.58, and 14.58 ug/sq cm/hr and permeability constants (Kp) of 5.0 x 10-4, 1.2 x 10-4, and 2.9 x 10-4 cm/hr for the 0.05, 0.5, and 5.0% solutions. The above in vitro doses were at infinite, 1000 uL/sq cm volume. At 2 uL/sq cm (the in vivo dosing volume), flux decreased some 200-fold to 0.07 ug/sq cm/hr and Kp of 1.4 x 10-6 cm/hr, while percentage of dose absorbed was 1.75%. Borax dosed at 5.0%/1000 uL/sq cm had 0.41% dose absorbed, flux at 8.5 ug/sq cm/hr, and Kp was 1.7 x 10-4 cm/hr. Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) dosed at 10%/1000 uL/sq cm was 0.19% dose absorbed, flux at 7.9 ug/ sq cm/hr, and Kp was 0.8 x 10-4 cm/hr. These in vitro results from infinite doses (1000 uL/sq cm) were 1000-fold greater than those obtained in the companion in vivo study. The results from the finite (2 uL/sq cm) dosing were closer (10-fold difference) to the in vivo results. General application of infinite dose percutaneous absorption values for risk assessment is questioned by these results. These in vivo results show that percutaneous absorption of boron, as boric acid, borax, and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, through intact human skin, is low and is significantly less than the average daily dietary intake. This very low boron skin absorption makes it apparent that, for the borates tested, the use of gloves to prevent systemic uptake is unnecessary. These findings do not apply to abraded or otherwise damaged skin.

/EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES/ A retrospective study showed that wives of workers from a borate mining and processing plant ... delivered somewhat more children than expected numbers, based on a national cohort. This result led investigators to conclude that borate exposure to workers had no deleterious effect on their reproductive health. Study provides useful epidemiological information, especially because testicular atrophy and subsequent male infertility had been observed in animal studies. Because of the limited scope of this study (live births as the sole endpoint), and limitations in design (birth rates compared to national norms, possibly inappropriate for a control population; exposures were only roughly estimated), this study does not substitute for a reproduction study in laboratory animals. ...This was an offshoot to the study performed to evaluate reproductive effects on male employees... . The study on female employees also monitored the same endpoints: numbers of live births and sex of offspring compared to the same national database. There were only 68 female participants in this study, thus very limited opportunity to identify treatment effects. Results were not remarkable. The study should be considered as useful epidemiological data, but more limited in statistical power than the corresponding data on male employees. Other limitations noted for the male employee study also apply here. /Inorganic borates/

/BIOMONITORING/ A study was made at the U.S. Borax mine and production facility ... to correlate the blood and urine levels with occupational dust exposure. The result showed that even the employees exposed on the job had blood and urine levels within the range found in the general unexposed U.S. population. The body's control mechanisms, principally excretion through the kidneys, keep the body boron level within normal ranges. /Inorganic borates/

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ The material is classified as Toxicity Category IV by dermal administration. The primary irritation index (PII) was found to be 0.5 based on erythema and edema. No evidence of tissue damage was found. No irritation persisted 72 hours following application. No changes in the coloration or texture to the skin were noted. One rabbit only gave a score of 2 for erythema formation after 1/2 -1 hr, but all the other scores were 1 or 0 for both erythema and edema formation. Young adult rabbits (three male and three female) were used in this study. Each animal received 0.5 g of test material under a 1" x 1" gauze square. The material was applied to one intact skin site for 4 hrs, with observations of the site after 1, 24, 48, and 72 hrs.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Irritation scores in individual animals ranged from 0-19. No evidence of corrosion was noted. Changes noted were in the blistered appearance to the conjunctiva. The material is classified in Toxicity Category II by ocular administration (Corneal involvement or irritation clearing in 8-21 days). The test material produced iris and conjunctival irritation, when applied with rinsing to the eyes of six rabbits. The rinsing was done 24 hours after application.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Developmental or Reproductive Toxicity/ The developing fetus is also sensitive to boric acid and its sodium salts at doses that do not produce direct maternal toxicity (e.g., maternal reductions in gravid weight or weight gains are secondary to fetal toxicity). Effects on the fetus include skeletal variations/malformations, visceral malformations, increased mortality and reduced pup weight. Visceral fetal abnormalities were also reported: enlarged lateral ventricles of the brain were observed in the rat and defects of the great vessels and the heart were observed in the rabbit. /Boric acid and sodium salts/

/SRP:/ Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand-valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR as necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Boron and Related Compounds/

/SRP:/ Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Aggressive airway management may be necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool. Administer activated charcoal ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressing after decontamination ... . /Boron and Related Compounds/

/SRP:/ Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Early intubation at the first sign of upper airway obstruction may be necessary. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's (LR) if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Consider vasopressors if patient is hypotensive with a normal fluid volume. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Boron and Related Compounds/

LD50 Guinea pig oral 5300 mg/kg /from table/

LD50 Rat oral 2 g/kg /from table/

LD50 Rabbit dermal /greater than/ 2000 mg/kg bw.

An exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is established for residues of the pesticidal chemical boric acid and its salts, borax (sodium borate decahydrate), disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, boric oxide (boric anhydride), sodium borate and sodium metaborate, in or on raw agricultural commodities when used as an active ingredient in insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides preharvest or postharvest in accordance with good agricultural practices. /Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

The Agency has reassessed the current exemptions from the requirement for tolerances from boric acid/sodium borate salts ... As a result of this assessment, the Agency determined that the active tolerances exemptions should be maintained and are considered reassessed as safe under section 408(q) of the FFDCA. It should be noted however that the higher application rates for the swimming pool uses resulted in residential post-application scenarios which exceed the Agency's LOC. The high rates for these pool and spa uses must be deleted from the end-use product labels. Registrants have agreed to amend their labels by removing the higher application rates to Agency acceptable levels.

Based on the reviews of the generic data for the active ingredients of boric acid and its sodium salts, the Agency has sufficient information on the health effects of boric acid and its sodium salts and their potential for causing adverse effects in fish and wildlife and the environment. Therefore, the Agency concludes that products containing boric acid and its sodium salts for all uses are eligible for reregistration. The Agency has determined that boric acid and its sodium salts, labeled and used as specified in this RED (Reregistration Eligibility Decision) document, will not pose unreasonable risks or adverse effects to humans or the environment.

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their continued use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines newer health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether the use of the pesticide does not pose unreasonable risk in accordance to newer saftey standards, such as those described in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (PC Code: 011107) is found on List A, which contains most pesticides that are used on foods and, hence, have a high potential for human exposure. List A consists of the 194 chemical cases (or 350 individual active ingredients) for which EPA issued registration standards prior to FIFRA '88. Case No: 0024; Pesticide type: insecticide, fungicide, herbicide; Registration Standard Date: 11/01/85; Case Status: RED Approved 9/93; OPP has made a decision that some/all uses of the pesticide are eligible for reregistration, as reflected in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document .; Active ingredient (AI): disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (PC Code: 011107); Data Call-in (DCI) Date(s): 2/16/94; AI Status: OPP has completed a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the case/AI.

For disodium octaborate (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 011107) ACTIVE products with label matches. /SRP: Registered for use in the U.S. but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./

For disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 011103) ACTIVE products with label matches. /SRP: Registered for use in the U.S. but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./ /Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

Used to prevent and control decay fungi in lumber and timber products.

Multimicronutrient fertilizer /Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

For more Uses (Complete) data for DISODIUM OCTABORATE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Soluble concentrate/liquid 40%; soluble concentrate/solid 99.4% /Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

... specially formulated as a water-based wood preservative /Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate/

BOR-RODS; Active ingredient 96.65% Boron sodium oxide

Cobra Rod; Active ingredients 4.70% Boric acid, 90.60% Boron sodium oxide and 2.90% Copper hydroxide

For more Formulations/Preparations (Complete) data for DISODIUM OCTABORATE (65 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing

Boron sodium oxide (B8Na2O13): ACTIVE

Disodium octaborate is not a homogenous substance. It has a Na2O:B2O3 ratio of 1:4 and can be produced as a concentrated solution.

Marketed under various trade names depending on intended use /Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate/

... low toxicity alternative for protecting timber and composites from wood destroying organisms such as decay fungi and termites. ... proven effective for more than 70 years in residential and commercial construction, ... efficacy is backed by extensive field testing. /Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate/