Boric Acid Uses

Boric acid chemically represented by H₃BO₃ is a naturally occurring compound containing the three elements namely boron, hydrogen and oxygen. This colorless and odorless powder who's main constituent are borates, are found naturally in the soil, rocks and seawater. There are many uses of this mild acid from medicinal to uses in various industrial treatments and pesticides. In fact, boric acid is naturally present in many foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains. So an average person would be consuming some amount of boron everyday through his diet. These borates are usually derived from dried salt lake beds found in deserts and other arid regions.

Uses of this acid have been known to man for thousands of years. The Chinese have traditionally used it as a food preservative, cleansing agent and as an antiseptic. It is believed that borax was used by the ancient Chinese to glaze ceramic containers and by the Arabians to preserve their gold and silver. Boric acid crystals were first made by Wilhelm Homberg in 1702 and was soon found to be an effective eye wash and a mild antiseptic.

Uses of Boric Acid

Pest Control: Boric acid is registered as an insecticide for controlling household pests like cockroaches, termites, fire ants, fleas, silverfish and other insects. Available in both gel and powder form, the acid can be dabbed on or sprinkled near sinks, counters, refrigerators, stoves or in places where the infestation is more. It is available as a pest control, in the form of aerosols, wettable powders, dust and pellets.

Medicinal Uses: It is usually used as an antiseptic for treating minor burns and cuts, since it inhibits the growth of micro-organisms in the body. Boric acid eye wash is considered to be an effective remedy for pink eye (conjunctivitis) and other eye infections. It is also used in contact lens solutions and other eye disinfectants. The anti bacterial property of the acid allows it to be used in acne treatments and for the prevention of athlete's foot. Its use for yeast infections has been known to prevent candidiasis or vaginal yeast infections.

Wood Preservative: Since it inhibits the growth of fungus, boric acid is known to prevent rotting and insect attack. There are a wide variety of borate timber treatments that prevent slime, mycelium and algae growth.

Fiberglass and Glass: It is widely used in heat resistant borosilicate and other heat resistant glassware. It is used to enhance the chemical composition, thereby improving the temperature resistance of glass, and is used widely in halogen bulbs, ovenware and microwavable glassware. It is also used in the optical glassware industry to increase chemical resistance and durability.

Flame Retardant and Corrosion Inhibitor: Since boron is an effective flame retardant, it is used in an array of products like wood, plywood, textile products, cotton, paper and cellulose. In addition to this, boron is also used as corrosion inhibitors and antifreeze, thus finding its use in brewing, heat treating and in the treatment of metallic products.

Ceramics: Boric acid is commonly used in the ceramic industry for the production of ceramic frits and borosilicate glazes. Since the boric compounds significantly reduce the melting point and control the coefficient of the expansion they make sure that the glaze remains fixed to the body without undergoing any distortion.

From production of modern hi tech glasses used in plasma screens in LCD televisions to increasing the efficiency of manufacturing processes, boric acid uses continue to show an upward trend. It is however, vital to remember that although it does have a certain amount toxicity, it can be dangerous especially in long term exposure to this compound. The prolonged use of it on the skin and eyes may result in irritation, while ingesting it may even prove to be fatal.