Boric acid: understand what it is for and what are its risks
Boric acid is commonly found in boricaded water.
If you don't know what boric acid is, maybe you've heard of boric acid and maybe you've used it. But be careful! Boric acid present in boricaded water can be harmful to health. Let's take a look at the reasons.
Boric acid or its salts, known as sodium borate and calcium borate, are commonly used as antiseptics, insecticides and as flame retardants. They also have bacteriostatic and fungicidal action, albeit weak.
Boric acid salts are found undissociated in aqueous solution, at physiological pH (which is also known as ideal - between 4, 5 and 6). For this reason, they are considered together for the purposes of risk characterization and toxicology studies. The main concern is boron, which is heavily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and by inhalation, but this does not occur through uninjured skin, only through wounds.
Health and environmental effects
In some people, contact with boric acid can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and respiratory system irritation. However, in small amounts, such as those found in boricaded water, boric acid can be therapeutic, and the greatest risk in these cases is eye contamination due to misuse. To better understand this topic, take a look at the article "What is it and what is boricada water for" and check out the video below:In low doses, boric acid usually poses no health risk. Boron is an element found naturally in our food and necessary for the proper functioning of the human body. However, in high doses, it can cause problems.
According to studies, high amounts of boron can lead to neurotoxicity, in addition to affecting the reproductive system in male animals. As a result, studies are underway investigating whether boric acid can be considered an endocrine disruptor. Acute boron poisoning can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, peeling skin, drowsiness, drop in blood pressure and even death. Boric acid is not considered to be carcinogenic to humans.
In the environment, the main anthropogenic sources of boron are foundry industries, coal burning, glass production and the use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. When present in high concentrations in the medium, it can be harmful to plants and other living beings, so it is important to minimize its discharge into water bodies.
Danger in the products
Boric acid can be found in antiseptics and astringents, nail polish, skin creams, talcum powders, diaper rash ointments, some paints, pesticides, products to kill cockroaches and ants, and some eye care products.
As a preventive measure, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) determined, in 2001, through Resolution - RE No. 552, the prohibition of the presence of the active principle boric acid in the composition of talcs, ointments and creams used against diaper rash and rash in children.According to the public agency, this component can be replaced by povidone iodine, iodine tincture or iodized alcohol.
If you have any type of allergy to this substance, pay attention to the packaging labels to make sure that boric acid was not used in the composition of the products you intend to use. Anvisa's website has a list of some medications that may contain boric acid in their formulation.
