In chemistry, boric acid (molecular formula: H3BO3) is an inorganic acid, mainly used for disinfection, insecticide, antisepsis, controlling the speed of uranium nuclear fission in nuclear power plants, and preparing other boron compounds. It is a white powder or transparent crystal, soluble in water; sometimes it exists in the form of minerals, and is often dissolved in certain minerals, volcanic lake water or hot springs.
What are the hazards of boric acid to the human body? Preparation
Boric acid is usually prepared by reacting borax with sodium bicarbonate sulfuric acid:
Na2B4O7+ H2SO4+ 5H2O → 4H3BO3+ Na2SO4
Or mix boron ore powder and ammonium bicarbonate solution, decompose after heating to obtain ammonium borate-containing material liquid, and then deaminate to obtain boric acid. Boron concentrate can also be acidolyzed with hydrochloric acid, and boric acid can be obtained through filtration, crystallization and drying.
What are the hazards of boric acid to the human body? Existence
Boric acid is very common and can be found in many places, such as:
In the sea.
In plants, especially fruits, almost every fruit contains boric acid.
Volcanoes in certain areas are usually found in the vents of volcanoes.
What are the hazards of boric acid to the human body? Hazard
What are the hazards of boric acid to the human body? Human
Generally, boric acid is not very toxic. The lethal dose for adults is about 15 to 20 grams per kilogram of body weight, while for children it is 3 to 6 grams per kilogram of body weight. Absorption of a large amount at a time may lead to acute poisoning. Early symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and first excitement and then depression of the central nervous system. Severe circulatory failure or shock occurs, and death usually occurs within 3 to 5 days. If consumed repeatedly in small doses, it will accumulate in the body, leading to chronic poisoning, anorexia, fatigue, mental confusion, dermatitis, alopecia, and menstrual disorders.
What are the hazards of boric acid to the human body? animals
Generally speaking, feeding drinking water containing 0.25% boric acid to animals eating methylboric acid will cause chronic poisoning. Boric acid will inhibit the growth of animals. There is no tissue damage in animal autopsy, and there is no change in peripheral blood circulation. According to the experimental results:
The lethal dose of boric acid administered orally to guinea pigs is 175 mg/kg.
The median lethal dose in rats is 900mg/kg.
The median lethal dose for mice is 466mg/kg.
The LC50 for trout is 100 ppm (soft water) or 79 ppm (hard water).
