Boric acid,
H3BO3.
This white solid, also called boracic, or orthoboric, acid, is obtained
by treating a concentrated solution of borax with sulfuric or hydrochloric
acid. Boric acid is commonly used as a mild antiseptic for burns and
surface wounds and is a major ingredient in eye lotions. Among its other
important applications are its use as a fire-retardant in fabrics, in
solutions for electroplating nickel or for tanning leather, and as a
major constituent in catalysts for numerous organic chemical reactions.
Like Silicon, Boron forms large molecules in which oxygen atoms occupy
alternate positions.
![](graphics1/BoricAcid.jpg)
The repeating structure of Boric Acid
Insects die by ingesting boric acid and
borate salts. Borate salts are abrasive to the insect's exo-skeleton.
It is mostly used as a bait mixed with minced liver to treat Pharoahs
Ants, although these days juvenile hormone growth regulators tend to
be the norm.
LD50/LC50:
Boric acid is very low in toxicity when
ingested. The acute oral LD50 in mice is
3450 mg/kg and for rats ranges from 2669 - 5140 mg/kg. The LC50
values for mice for inhaled boron compounds range from 0.89 - 21.1 mg/L
indicating very low to low inhalation toxicity. The proposed potential
lethal boric acid doses are 3-6 g for infants and 15-20 g for adults.
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