EMS CATALOG NO: 11460
EMS PRODUCT: Boric Acid
DATE: 09/27/2002
PAGE NUMBER: One of 6
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
The information contained herein is based on data considered accurate. However, no
warranty is expressed or implied regarding the accuracy of these data or the results to be
obtained from the use thereof.
Electron Microscopy Sciences assumes no responsibility for personal injury or property
damage to vendees, users or third parties caused by the material. Such vendees or users
assume all risks associated with the use of the material.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY SCIENCES
321 MORRIS ROAD
P.O. BOX 251
FORT WASHINGTON, PA 19034 24 HOUR EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
(215) 646-1566 CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
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FOR PRODUCT AND SALES INFORMATION
_________________________________________________________________
CONTACT ELECTRON MICROSCOPY SCIENCES OFFICE ABOVE.
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PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
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Boric Acid
PRODUCT NAME:
SYNONYM: Orthoboric Acid, Boracic Acid, Borofax
CAS. NUMBER: 10043-35-3
FORMULA: H3BO3
FORMULA WEIGHT: 61.83
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INGREDIENTS
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INGREDIENTS CAS # % TLV
Boric acid 10043-35-3 98-100 ACGIH (Particulates Not Otherwise
Classified) TWA 10 mg/m3 (inhal-
able
particulate). 3 mg/m3 (respirable
particulate)
TOXICITY VALUES OF THE HAZARDOUS
INGREDIENTS: Boric Acid
ORAL (LD50) Acute 2660 mg/kg (Rat) 3450 mg/kg (Mouse)
DERMAL (LD50) Acute >2000 mg/kg (Rabbit)
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PHYSICAL DATA
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APPEARANCE/ODOR: White crystalline powder or crystals.
Odorless
pH(1% soln/water): 3.7 (4.7%) 5.1 (1%)
ODOR THRESHOLD: Not available
0% at 21oC
PERCENT VOLATILE:
Decomposes @ 185oC
FREEZING POINT:
BOILING POINT: Not Applicable
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.51 (H2O=1)
VAPOR DENSITY: Not available
VAPOR PRESSURE: Not available
Log P = 0 7570 at 25oC
WATER/OIL DIST. COEFF.:
EVAPORATE RATE: Not available
4.7% @20oC; 27.5% @100oC (in H20)
SOLUBILITY:
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FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA
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FLASH POINT: Not applicable
FLAMMABLE LIMITS: Not applicable
AUTO IGNITION TEMPERATURE: Not applicable
FIRE DEGRADATION PRODUCTS: Boron oxides
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FIRE EXTINGUISHING PROCEDURES:
Use extinguishing media suitable for surrounding materials. Wear
adequate personal protection to prevent contact with material or
its combustion products. Self contained breathing apparatus with
a full facepiece operated in a pressure demand or other positive
pressure mode.
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
The product is not sensitive to impact. The product is not sensitive
to static discharge. Emits toxic fumes under fire conditions.
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TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
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PRIMARY ROUTE(S) OF ENTRY: Inhalation and ingestion. Eye contact.
Skin absorption.
EFFECTS OF ACUTE EXPOSURE: Harmful by ingestion and inhalation.
EYES: May cause irritation.
SKIN: May cause irritation. Prolonged or repeated contact
may cause discomfort and local redness. Repeated
contact may cause drying or flaking of skin. Not
absorbed through intact skin. Can be absorbed through
damaged skin, symptoms same as for ingestion.
INHALATION: Material is irritating to mucous membranes and upper
respiratory tract. Exposure can cause coughing, chest
pains, difficulty in breathing. See ingestion.
INGESTION: Ingestion of large doses may cause Gastrointestinal
distress erythema, mascular rash, weakness, nausea
headache, abdominal pain, cyanosis, vomiting, diarrhea
dizziness, tachycardia, circulatroy collapse and may
lead to death. Death has been reported to occur in
infants from less than 5 grams and in adults from 5 to
20 grams.
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE:
May cause anorexia, vomiting diarrhea, convulsions, anemia. Eye:
mild irritant. Reproductive effects: no symptoms have been
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noted in humans. Animal studies show that ingestion or large
amounts of borates over prolonged periods of time cause a
decrease in sperm production and testicle size in male
laboratory animals and developmental effects such as weight loss
in fetuses of pregnant female laboratory animals. Embryotoxic
and/or foetotoxic in animal. Passes through the placental
barrier in animal. Excreted in maternal milk in human. Liver,
central nervous system and kidney damage. Medical conditions
which may be aggravated: Individuals with preexisting diseases
of the skin, eye, liver or kidney may be more susceptible to
the toxicity of overexposure to this product.
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FIRST AID MEASURES
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EYE CONTACT: Immediately flush eyes with copious quantities of water
for at lease 15 minutes holding lids apart to ensure
flushing of the entire surface. Seek immediate medical
attention.
SKIN CONTACT:
Immediately flush skin with plenty of water and soap for at least
15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Call
a physician. Wash contaminated clothing before reusing.
INHALATION: Remove patient to fresh air. Administer approved
oxygen supply if breathing is difficult. Administer
artificial respiration or CPR if breathing has
ceased. Call a physician.
INGESTION: If conscious, wash out mouth with water. Have
conscious person drink several glasses of water to
dilute. Seek immediate medical attention. Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
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REACTIVITY DATA
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STABILITY: Stable.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: Not available.
INCOMPATIBILITY: Alkaline carbonates, reducing agents, potassium,
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hydroxides, acetic anhydride, strong bases,
phosphorus, alkalis, sodium, acid anhydrides.
Volatile in stream without decomposition.
REACTION PRODUCTS:
Will dehydrate at 100oC and above. Will create a violent explosion if
this product is mixed with potassium, acetic anhydride or with sodium.
Boric acid reacts as a weak acid which may cause corrosion of base metals. Solutions
can be corrosive to iron. Reaction with strong reducing agents such as metal hydrides or
alkali metals will generate hydrogen gas which could create an explosion hazard. Haz-
ardous polymerization will not occur.
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PREVENTIVE MEASURES
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PROTECTIVE CLOTHING IN CASE OF SPILL AND LEAK:
Wear self contained breathing apparatus, rubber boots and heavy
rubber gloves.
SPILL AND LEAK:
Evacuate area. Sweep up and place in container for disposal.
Avoid raising dust. Ventilate area and wash spill site after
material pick up is complete. DO NOT empty into drains. DO NOT
touch spilled material.
WASTE DISPOSAL: According to all applicable regulations.
Harmful to aquatic life at high concentrations. Can be dangerous
if allowed to enter drinking water intakes. Do not contaminate
domestic or irrigation water supplies, lakes, streams, ponds or
rivers.
STORAGE AND HANDLING:
Store in a cool place away from heated area, sparks and flame. Store
in a well ventilated area. Store away from incompatible materials. do not add any other
material to the container. do not wash down the drain. Do not breathe dust. In case of
insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment. Keep container tightly
closed and dry. Manipulate in a well ventilated area or under an adequate fume. hood.
Avoid raising dust. Empty containers may contain a hazardous residue. Handle and open
container with care. Minimize dust generation and exposure - use dust mask or appropri-
ate protection. Do not use pressure to dispense. This product must be manipulated by
qualified personnel. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Wash well after use. In
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accordance with good storage and handling practices. Do not allow smoking and food
consumption while handling. Protect from moisture. Prolonged storage may cause
product to cake from atmospheric moisture.
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PROTECTIVE MEASURES
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PROTECTIVE CLOTHING:
Splash goggles. Impervious gloves, apron, coveralls, and/or
other resistant protective clothing. Sufficient to protect
skin. A OSHA/MSHA jointly approved respirator is advised in the
absence of proper environmental controls. Do not wear contact
lenses. Make eye bath and emergency shower available. If more
than TLV, do not breathe vapor. Wear self-contained breathing
apparatus.
ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
Local mechanical exhaust ventilation capable of minimizing dust
emissions at the point of use. Do not use in unventilated spaces.
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OTHER INFORMATION
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SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS OR COMMENTS:
HARMFUL SOLID!! REPRODUCTIVE TOXIN!! Do not breathe dust.
Avoid all contact with the product. Avoid prolonged or repeated exposure. Manipulate
in a well ventilated area or under an adequate fume hood. Handle and open container
with care. Container should be opened only by a technically qualified person.
NOTE TO PHYSICIAN:
Observation only is required for adult ingestion of less than 6
grams of Boric acid. For ingestion in excess of 6 grams,
maintain adequate kidney function and force fluids. Gastric
lavage is recommended for symptomatic patients only.
Hemodialysis should be reserved for massive acute ingestion or
patients with renal failure. Boric acid analysis of urine or
blood are only useful for documenting exposure and should not be
used to evaluate severity of poisoning or to guide treatment.
RTECS NO: ED4550000
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