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DESCRIPTION
Boric acid (also known as boracic acid or ortoboric acid) is a mild acid of boron.
Its chemical formula is written as H3BO3 (or B(OH)3 and it is available as a white, water-soluble powder.
Boric acid is obtained by the reaction of colemanite ore with sulfuric acid or borax and a mineral acid.
Cas Number
10043-35-3
Synonyms
Orthoboric Acid,Boracic Acid,Hydroxyboric Acid,Borofax
Summary of Existing Research on Boric Acid
Boric acid (H₃BO₃) is a weak, monobasic Lewis acid of boron commonly used in various applications due to its antiseptic, antifungal, and insecticidal properties.
It naturally occurs as the mineral sassolite and is commonly found in volcanic areas and hot springs.
Medical Applications
Antiseptic and Antifungal Agent: Boric acid has been utilized as an antiseptic for minor burns or cuts and is sometimes used in dressings.
It is applied in very dilute solutions as an eye wash. Notably, boric acid vaginal suppositories have been employed to treat recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, especially cases involving non-albicans Candida species or azole-resistant strains.
Studies suggest that boric acid is a safe, alternative, and economical option when conventional treatments fail.
Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment: Recent systematic reviews have explored the efficacy of boric acid as a treatment option for microbial vaginitis, proposing it as a viable alternative to conventional therapies, especially in the context of increasing microbial resistance.
Industrial and Miscellaneous Applications
Insecticide: Boric acid is widely used as an insecticide, particularly against ants, cockroaches, and termites.
Its efficacy is attributed to its abrasive effect on the exoskeletons of insects and its ability to disrupt their digestive systems upon ingestion.
Fire Retardant: In the wood industry, boric acid is utilized as a fire retardant.
It functions by promoting the formation of a protective char layer on the wood surface, thereby reducing flammability.
Nuclear Power Applications: In nuclear power plants, boric acid serves as a neutron poison.
absorbing neutrons, it helps regulate the fission process within the reactor, ensuring controlled and safe operations.
Recent Scientific Articles on Boric Acid
Here are some notable recent studies on boric acid:
"Boric Acid for the Treatment of Vaginitis: New Possibilities Using an Old Therapy" (2024): This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of boric acid as a treatment for microbial vaginitis, highlighting its potential as an alternative to conventional therapies amidst rising antimicrobial resistance.
"Therapeutic Potential of Boric Acid as a Local Drug Delivery Agent in Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" (2025): This study comprehensively evaluates the efficacy of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontal therapy, suggesting its potential benefits in clinical applications.
"Phosphorescence by Trapping Defects in Boric Acid Induced by Thermal Processing" (2023): This research explores the phosphorescent properties of boric acid when subjected to thermal processing, attributing the observed afterglow to structural defects.
Medical Applications
Antiseptic and Antifungal Uses: Detailed discussion on the use of boric acid in treating infections, with a focus on recent studies and clinical trials.
Safety and Efficacy: Analysis of toxicity studies, side effects, and safety profiles.
Industrial Applications
Insecticidal Properties: Mechanisms of action against pests and comparative efficacy.
Fire Retardancy: Role in fire prevention, especially in wood treatment, and underlying chemical mechanisms.
Other Uses: Applications in nuclear power, lubrication, and other industries.
Recent Advances and Research
Summary of cutting-edge research, including recent studies on medical and industrial applications.
Emerging trends and potential future uses.
Discussion
Critical analysis of the benefits and limitations of boric acid in various applications.
Comparison with alternative substances and technologies.
Conclusion
Recap of key findings.
Implications for future research and applications.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT BORIC ACID
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product.
