On Tue, 06 Jul 2004 04:44:25 GMT, Lar wrote:



Though it is low in toxicity it will probably be more toxic than the
commonly used insecticides used for insect control. Usually 6-8
thousand people are seen a year for borate poisoning with a death a
year. 5 grams can kill a child and there is no known antidote for
borate poisoning. If a little one can get a pinch in their mouth it
will be a trip to the hospital



Toxicity
While exposure to boric acid has been linked to adverse health
effects, experts agree that careful application offers a safe and
effective alternative without the indoor air problems associated with
sprays. Boron is a naturally-occurring element in the earth’s crust
and background levels even circulate in the human bloodstream. Boric
acid’s exposure risks are minimal because of its method of
application.

However, while boric acid has become one of the chemicals of choice
for many urban pest control programs, it can be toxic. EPA considers
boric acid as a moderately acutely toxic due to acute effects
including oral and dermal toxicity, and eye and skin irritation. EPA’s
reregistration document states that a subchronic borax feeding study
using dogs resulted in blood and metabolism disorders as well as
effects to the testes, endocrine system, brain weight, and size ratios
among various organs and glands. In chronic oncogenicity studies using
mice, rats and beagle dogs, boric acid and borax were found not to be
carcinogenic; however, testicular effects and decreases in body weight
resulted at high dose levels. EPA has classified boric acid as a
“Group E” carcinogen, indicating that it shows “evidence of
noncarcinogenicity” for humans. In reproductive and developmental
toxicity studies using rats, mice and rabbits, maternal liver and
kidney effects and decreased weight gain as well as decreased fetal
body weights were observed. In two studies, at the highest dose
levels, no litters were produced. Prenatal mortality occurred at the
highest dose levels in the rabbit study. Boric acid does not cause
mutagenicity (U.S. EPA 1993).

Applicators and others in treatment areas may be exposed to boric acid
and its sodium salts during or after application. However, there is no
reasonable expectation that these pesticide uses may constitute a
hazard or risk to people involved in, or near to, handling or
application activities. Proper care and adhering to label directions
and precautions should reduce exposure and any associated risk (U.S.
EPA 1993).

Ecological Effects
Boric acid is practically nontoxic to birds, fish, aquatic
invertebrates, and relatively nontoxic to beneficial insects. It’s
noncrop herbicidal use may harm endangered or threatened plants, and
therefore EPA is requiring three phytotoxicity studies to assess these
risks (U.S. EPA 1993).

Effectiveness
An EPA assessment of a boric acid pilot pest control program conducted
at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland found that
boric acid was both more economical and more effective than monthly
spray treatment. At least one study has shown that the combination of
heat, 110 degree F for two hours with boric acid, will increase the
speed at which the German cockroach is killed.
References:

Barlow, S.M. & F.M. Sullivan. 1982. Reproductive Hazards of Industrial
Chemicals: An Evaluation of Animal & Human Data. Academic Press, New
York, NY. pp. 130-135.

Bianchini, R.J. 1987. “The use of borate-treated wood in structures.”
Presentation by U.S. Borax at Forest Products Research Society
Conference on Wood Protection Techniques and the Use of Treated Wood
in Construction. Memphis, TN. October 28-30.

“Borate prospects are seen as promising.” Chemical Marketing Reporter.
November 16, 1987.

“Boron found to have role in hardening bones.” Chemical Marketing
Reporter. November 9, 1987.

Casarett, et al. 1980. Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons. 2nd
ed. Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. New York, NY. pp. 440-441.

Gosselin, R.E., et al. 1984. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial
Products. 5th ed. Williams & Wilkins. Baltimore, MD.

“IN-CIDE: Pest control insulation.” Energy Design Update 4 (11):13-14.

Olkowski, W. and S. Daar. 1987. “Boric acid: New formulations and
application equipment.” The IPM Practioner 9(6-7):3-4. Bio-Integral
Resource Center. Berkeley, CA.

Siegel, E. and S. Wason. 1986. “Boric acid toxicity.” Pediatric
Clinics of North America 33(2):363-367.

Sprague, R. 1972. “The ecological significance of boron.” U.S. Borax
Research Corp. Anaheim, CA.

U.S. EPA. 1993. “Boric acid.” R.E.D. Facts. EPA-738-F-93-006. Office
of Pesticide Programs. Washington, DC.

U.S. EPA. 1985. “Guidance for the reregistration of pesticide products
containing boric acid and boron containing salts as the active
ingredient.” Office of Pesticide Programs. Washington, DC.

Weir, R. and R. Fisher. 1972. “Toxicological studies on borax and
boric acid.” Toxicology of Applied Pharmacology 23:351-364.


Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.
-- Aldo Leopold