Boric Acid: Safety and Uses in Various Industries
The use of any acid requires safety standards, and boric acid is no exception. With its myriad uses across industries, it is imperative to handle boric acid safely for the sake of your employees and that of your customers. Bell Chem, your industrial chemical supplier, wants to help you better understand the safety and uses of boric acid across industries.
Boric acid safety controls
Boric acid is often used as a pesticide. While it is incredibly toxic to pests, it is much safer for humans than other pesticides. However, it is still critical to handle boric acid according to its Safety Data Sheet. Add only the amount of boric acid recommended; more is not better. When working with boric acid, wear a dust mask or respirator as well as eye protection. Keep boric acid away from open wounds. After working with boric acid, wash exposed areas of your body thoroughly.
Boric acid in farming
Pesticides use boric acid because of its ability to shatter insects’ exoskeletons as it disrupts the insects’ nervous systems. When using boric acid as a pesticide in crops, it also acts as an amendment for crops low on boron.
Modification of cotton layers
Cotton modification relies on a layer-by-layer process with sodium lignin sulphonate, chitosan, and boric acid. When these 3 additives are present, their ionic differences create cotton fabrics offering UV protection, no-iron properties, and antibacterial fabrics.
Automotive battery additive
Vehicles running on gas rely on lead-acid batteries to perform many functions. These batteries are inexpensive and perform quite well. Adding boric acid improves their performance by eliminating much of the battery’s overcharging tendencies. This extends the cycling life of the battery, giving a great battery with a longer lifespan.
Medical applications
While end users are warned not to expose open wounds to boric acid, the medical field has found boric acid a very good alternative in chronic wound treatment for patients who are unable to find relief through traditional treatment. Topical application of boric acid increased fibroblast production and collagen synthesis as it stimulated the development of new blood vessels. As a 3% topical solution, boric acid greatly reduced Pseudomonas aeruginosa in wounds, especially when other antiseptics were unsuccessful. Because it works as an antiseptic, boric acid is also used as an ingredient in ophthalmic and dermal applications.
Bell Chem is an industrial chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including boric acid. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.