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And also:
...The major uses of the boric acids are in forming
other boron compounds and in borate salts, e.g., borax. A dilute water
solution of boric acid is commonly used as a mild antiseptic and
eyewash...
...a figure known as the LD50 rating - a dose that
would cause the deaths of 50 percent of a specific animal population. One method
used to determine the LD50 rating for most substances is via
laboratory-controlled oral doses to rats. The following table lists the LD50
(oral-rat) for several common substances as published by the Registry of Toxic
Effects of Chemical Substances. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/rtecs.html
|
Substance |
LD50
(milligrams of
dose
/kg of body weight) |
| Aspirin |
1,000 |
| Boric Acid |
2,660 |
| Table Salt |
3,000 |
| Boron #10 |
3,500 |
| Baking Soda |
4,200 |
| Grain Alcohol |
14,000 |
Based on this data, boric acid is not significantly different in
toxicity than common table salt. So are borates toxic? Certainly,
and so is virtually every and anything else you come in contact with. It is
simply a matter of quantity...
A quick web search for boric acid (+ sugar) will
get lots of info on ant control using sugar 'bait' with boric acid or other
insects like fleas or cockroaches!
Steve
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 10:04
AM
Subject: [GBlist] RE: carpenter
ants
Don't know what the boric acid MSDS looks like, but boric
acid has a
reputation of being quite benign- derived directly from borate
(boron- remember the 20 mule team borax commercials? same stuff..) - a
naturally
occurring mineral. This is the least toxic "pesticide" I'm aware
of - it's
been used by the green pest control folks for years.
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