Substance
-
Na2B4O5(OH)4·8H2O
-
A hydrated borate of
sodium
- Alkaline
after soluble in water
Common name/ Trade name
-
Borax
-
Boric acid,
H3BO3, prepared from borax. [1]
Involving
system [2]
-
Respiratory
system: acute poisoning via inhalation exposure
-
GI system:
acute poisoning after oral exposure
-
Skin: could
be affected by oral or dermal exposure
-
CV system
and CNS system: could be affected under chronic exposure
Presentation
-
Respiratory
system: nose and throat irritation, causing coughing or dyspnea
-
GI system:
diarrhea or vomiting, frequently confused with acute gastroenteritis [1]
-
Skin: eye
irritation, skin lesions, hair loss, exfoliation, desquamation of the skin
("boiled lobster" rash) [1, 3, 4]
-
CV system: Arrhythmia
-
CNS system:
Seizure, delirium, coma [1, 5]
-
a Large
amount of borax ingestion may cause death [2]
Antidote/Treatment
-
No specific antidote
-
NG
irrigation and usage of activated charcoal or laxatives are NOT recommended due
to poor adsorptive capacity [1]
- Exchange transfusion, Dialysis may be a possible
method for preventing deterioration [1]
Disposition
-
Alkaline
ingestion should be treated according to the Zargar grading of esophagogastroduodenoscopy
-
Lethal dose
is 2-3 grams for infants, 5-6 grams for children, and 15-20 grams for adults
References
[1] Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies 11th ed.
Ch.101: 1375.
[2] Hadrup N, Frederiksen M,
Sharma AK. Toxicity of boric acid, borax and other boron containing compounds:
A review. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2021 Apr;121:104873. doi:
10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104873. Epub 2021 Jan 22. PMID: 33485927
[3] Hubbard SA. Comparative toxicology of borates. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1998
Winter;66(1-3):343-57. doi: 10.1007/BF02783147. PMID: 10050929.
[4] Beckett WS, Oskvig R, Gaynor ME, Goldgeier MH. Association of reversible
alopecia with occupational topical exposure to common borax-containing
solutions. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001 Apr;44(4):599-602. doi:
10.1067/mjd.2001.112223. PMID: 11260532.
[5] Gordon AS, Prichard JS,
Freedman MH. Seizure disorders and anemia associated with chronic borax
intoxication. Can Med Assoc J. 1973 Mar 17;108(6):719-21 passim. PMID: 4691106;
PMCID: PMC1941259.
- edited by
Chun Chen and Yu-Jang Su Dec 21, 2022.