. TM The ToxGuide is developed to be used as a pocket guide. Tear off at perforation and fold along lines.

Toxicokinetics and Biomarkers/Environmental Sources of Exposure Normal Human Levels Levels TM ToxGuide

General Populations Toxicokinetics Biomarkers . The general population may be exposed . Boron is readily absorbed through . Blood and urine borate concentrations for to borates through ingestion of food and gastrointestinal system and poorly may be useful biomarkers of exposure. water or insecticides used to control absorbed through the skin. Boron is also cockroaches, inhalation of boron- absorbed through the respiratory tract, Environmental Levels Boron containing powders or dusts, or the use although the extent of the absorption is of cosmetics, laundry products, or not known. Air medical preparations containing boron. . Boron is widely distributed throughout . Levels in ambient air ranged from B . Consumption of fruits and vegetables the body, with the possible exception of <5x10-7 to 9x10-5 mg/m3 with an average contribute largely to boron intake in the fat. At high doses, boron accumulated in concentration of 2x10-5 mg/m3. CAS# 7440-42-8 human diet. The average daily intake is the bones. Sediment and Soil September 2011 1 mg. Consumption of wine may . Absorbed boron is eliminated principally . Mean concentration of 26 mg/kg in contribute an additional 3–4 mg/day. in the urine in a few days. surface soil. Water U.S. Department of Health and Occupational Populations Normal Human Levels . Average surface water concentration is about 0.1 mg/L, but concentrations vary Human Services . Workers involved in the manufacture of . Concentrations of boron in the urine in greatly depending on boron content of Public Health Service fiberglass and other glass products, the general population range from 0.07 to cleaning and laundry products, fertilizers, local geologic formations. Boron levels Agency for Toxic Substances pesticides, and cosmetics may be exposed 0.66 mg/100 mL. in drinking water generally range from and Disease Registry to boron compounds. . Normal boron blood levels in children <1 to 3 mg/L. www.atsdr.cdc.gov

and infants range from 0 to 1.25 μg/mL. Contact Information: Reference Division of Toxicology Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease and Environmental Medicine Registry (ATSDR). 2010. Toxicological Applied Toxicology Branch Profile for Boron. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human 1600 Clifton Road NE, F-62 Services, Public Health Services. Atlanta, GA 30333 1-800-CDCINFO 1-800-432-4636 http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/index.asp

Chemical and Physical Information Routes of Exposure Relevance to Public Health (Health Effects)

Boron is a Nonmetal Element . Inhalation – Minor route of exposure for Health effects are determined Health Effects the general population. Predominant . Boron is a widely occurring nonmetal by the dose (how much), the . The primary health effects associated route of exposure for boron workers. element occurring mainly in minerals in duration (how long), and the with inhalation exposure of humans to sediments and sedimentary rock. It is . Oral – Predominant route of exposure route of exposure. boron are acute respiratory and ocular found in the environment primarily for the general population via ingestion irritation. of boron in food and drinking water. combined with oxygen in compounds . Oral exposure animal studies have

called borates, and is never found as the . Dermal – Minor route of exposure. Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) clearly identified the reproductive free element. Common borate Inhalation system and developing fetus as the compounds include boric acid, salts of . An MRL of 0.3 mg/m3 has been derived most sensitive targets of boron toxicity. boric acid (e.g., sodium tetraborates, also Boron in the Environment for acute-duration inhalation exposure . DHHS, IARC, and EPA have not referred to as borax), and boron oxide. . As an element, boron itself cannot be (≤14 days). classified boron for human . The primary use of boron compounds is degraded in the environment; however, it . No intermediate- or chronic-duration carcinogenicity. for the production of glass and ceramics, may undergo various reactions that inhalation MRLs were derived for boron. followed by soaps and detergents, change the form of boron. Oral bleaches, agriculture and enamels and . Atmospheric boron may be in the form Children’s Health glazes. . An MRL of 0.2 mg boron/kg/day has of particulate matter or aerosols as . It is not known if children are more . Boric acid is used in cosmetics, borides, boron oxides, borates, boranes, been derived for acute-duration oral exposure (≤14 days). susceptible to boron poisoning than pharmaceuticals, and toiletries. It is also organoboron compounds, trihalide boron adults. used to reduce flammability of cellulose compounds, or borazines. . An MRL of 0.2 mg boron/kg/day has insulation, cotton batting in mattresses, . The half-life of airborne particles is been derived for intermediate-duration and wood composites. usually on the order of days, depending oral exposure (15–364 days). . Boric acid or its sodium salts are the on the size of the particle and . No chronic-duration oral MRL was active ingredient in a number of pesticide atmospheric conditions. derived for boron. products. . Borates are relatively soluble in water, . Boron oxide is incorporated into and are probably removed from the cellulose material to inhibit combustion. atmosphere by precipitation and dry deposition. . Borates are used in the manufacture of adhesives and are added to lubricants, . It is unlikely that boron is brake fluids, metalworking fluids, water bioconcentrated significantly. treatment chemicals, and fuel additives.