Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium
tetraborate, is an important <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron>boron
compound, a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral>mineral, and a
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_%28chemistry%29>salt of
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid>boric acid. It is usually a white
powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.
Borax has a wide variety of uses. It is a component of many
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detergent>detergents,
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmetic>cosmetics, and
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitreous_enamel>enamel glazes. It is also
used to make <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_solution>buffer solutions
in <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochemistry>biochemistry, as a
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_retardant>fire retardant, as an
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-fungal>anti-fungal compound for
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiberglass>fiberglass, as an
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticide>insecticide, as a
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flux_%28metallurgy%29>flux in
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallurgy>metallurgy, and as a precursor for
other boron compounds.
The term borax is used for a number of closely related minerals or chemical
compounds that differ in their
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_of_crystallization>crystal water
content, but usually refers to the
<http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/decahydrate>decahydrate. Commercially sold
borax is usually partially dehydrated.
Food additive
Borax, given the <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_number>E number E285, is
used as a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_additive>food additive in some
countries but is banned in the United States. In consequence certain foods,
such as <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caviar>caviar, produced for sale in
the U.S. contain higher levels of <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt>salt
to assist
preservation.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_tetraborate_decahydrate#cite_note-3>[4]
In China it was found to have been added to hand-pulled noodles
(<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamian>lamian).[<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed>citation
needed] In <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia>Indonesia it is a
common, but forbidden, additive to such foods as noodles, meatballs and
steamed rice. The country's Directorate of Consumer Protection warns of the
risk of <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_cancer>liver cancer with high
consumption over a period of 510
years.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_tetraborate_decahydrate#cite_note-4>[5]
[<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Borax&action=edit§ion=8>edit]
Vaccine
Sodium borate is an ingredient in the vaccine
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardasil>Gardasil, manufactured by
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merck>Merck.
Toxicity
Borax, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is not acutely toxic.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_tetraborate_decahydrate#cite_note-7>[8]
Its
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LD50>LD<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LD50>50
(median lethal dose) score is tested at 2.66 g/kg in rats.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_tetraborate_decahydrate#cite_note-8>[9]
This does not mean that it is safe, merely that a significant dose of the
chemical is needed to cause severe symptoms or death. The median lethal
dose for humans tends to differ for a given compound from that of rats.
Simple exposure can cause respiratory and skin irritation. Ingestion may
cause gastrointestinal distress including nausea, persistent vomiting,
abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Effects on the vascular system and brain
include headaches and lethargy, but are less frequent. "In severe
poisonings, a beefy red skin rash affecting palms, soles, buttocks and
scrotum has been described. With severe poisoning,
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythematous>erythematous and
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exfoliation_%28cosmetology%29>exfoliative
rash, unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and renal failure."
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_tetraborate_decahydrate#cite_note-9>[10]
A reassessment of boric acid/borax by the
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Environmental_Protection_Agency>United
States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs found
potential developmental toxicity (especially effects on the
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testes>testes).<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_tetraborate_decahydrate#cite_note-10>[11]
Boric acid solutions used as an eye wash or on abraded skin are known to be
especially toxic to infants, especially after repeated use because of its
slow elimination
rate.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_tetraborate_decahydrate#cite_note-11>[12]
At 03:38 PM 9/29/2009 -0500, you wrote:
we went thru this situation a year or so ago. many supporters of using "up
to the first finger joint" for a dose. you have peeked my interest, so i
checked my "20 mule team Borax" natural laundry booster. a
caution, "contains sodium tetraborate decahydrate", anyone know what
that is????? jim
Sep 29, 2009 12:07:17 PM,
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] wrote:
I use borax as a source for dietary boron and I know of no negatives.
- Steve N
-----Original Message-----
From: Shirley Reed [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 12:01 PM
To: <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
Subject: CS>OT boron and borax
Does anyone know of any negatives regarding the use of borax as a
dietary source of boron??? Have read that just one joint of the index
finger coated with borax and popped into the mouth will give enough
boron to suffice for daily needs. Need confirmation as to this
information. tia pj
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