Common uses for boric acid

A. Borax is Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂0, It sounds like a natural, mined product, so it has impurities in it.

You won't be blowing yourself up with it if it is used according to the Technical Bulletin and Material Safety Data Sheet. Get both from the manufacturer.

A. The school of mines caught my attention. I attended the same and graduated with my bachelor's and master's ( material science and metallurgy ).

We use Borax and Boric acid extensively in non-ferrous industries for melting & casting . These are used to clean up the metal once melted. Powdered Borax and Boric acid is added to the top of the liquid metal. Borax causes incipient (local) melting spots and causes the thick slag to become fluid while boric acid makes it sticky and glassy. This helps in easy removal of the oxides/slag from the liquid metal.

Boric acid is one of the main constituents in making ant-killer potions.

I am not aware of any harmful effects from using Borax.

I hope this information helps you.

Thanks.

Ed. note: Boric acid is relatively benign, but for a deep look please see https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/r?dbs+hsdb:@term+@rn+10043-35-3 for important health information. Boric acid can be dangerous, like just about anything else.

Update Nov. 2020: Sorry, toxnet is gone, and "NLM's toxicology information services have been integrated into other NLM products and services" ... but we don't easily find this info anymore.

A. My mother used a very mild boric acid solution, comprised of one teaspoon of boric acid dissolved in one quart of sterile (boiled) water, to wash our eyes when we were infants. It worked for cleaning up discharges from minor eye infections and I used it successfully for my children as well.

A. My mother also used Boric Acid as a wash for stuck-shut eyes. When my first born's eyes got infected, I went to the pharmacy in search of Boric Acid. Then I questioned myself wondering if I was right in what she used and I asked the pharmacist. He said that I was remembering right and Boric Acid is great for clearing up eye infections. (I have also used it on my 32 year old horse when his eyes are infected.)

I have been searching pharmacies for advice on using Boric Acid for runny, or worse yet, infected eyes. No one knew what I was talking about. So glad to see others have used it in their families, and to have found ways to mix it. IT REALLY WORKS!

A. I have been using Boric acid (one tablespoon in very hot water ... wait till it cools down) since I was 15 in Greece; my mother told me to do it every spring when I was getting eye infections. I am using contact lenses and sometimes I forget to take them off for several weeks, and get infections -- I use Boric acid solutions for a couple of days 2 times a day and the infection goes away. It helped me for over 30 years (I am 48) so it might be safe.

Why Boric acid instead of the doctors prescription (isoptomaxindrol, maxidex, etc.)? Because it works faster. Of course it is getting harder to get it from the pharmacy in Greece or in the US. Whenever the pharmacist asked me what I use it for and I said for my eyes, he refused to give it to me ... so I had to find another excuse.

A. Pharmacy grade Boric Acid is quite an amazing substance with a wide range of applications and uses. Around the home it can be used as a mild antiseptic, insecticide and YES ! people, it is also used as an EYE and EAR WASH solution for humans and animals. The directions for mixing Boric Acid (purchased at a pharmacy) into an EYE WASH solution,used to be PRINTED ON THE CONTAINER LABEL. I last purchased a 4 ounce container at my local drug store under the "Swan" Brand Name. Distributed by: Cumberland-Swan, Inc. Smyrna, Tennessee 37167. However, you will no longer find the direction for creating the eyewash solution on the containers. My grandmother and mother often made this solution to treat minor bacterial eye and ear infections including pink eye, styes and yeast infections of the ear. I make it myself and use it safely and effectively. Note that the following directions for mixing the solution WERE NOT found on the "Swan" container. Cumberland-Swans product is used only to illustrate its availability to the general public. One: Sterilized eye dropper bottle. One: Pint of "DISTILLED" water. One Half: TEASPOON Boric Acid Powder:

Bring one pint of distilled water to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to stand for 30 seconds before adding one half teaspoon of boric acid to the hot water, in the same container that the water was boiled in. (ensures germ free environment). When the powder is thoroughly dissolved and the solution is cool enough, carefully fill the eye dropper bottle with the solution and replace the cap on the bottle. Be sure to allow solution to completely cool before using it. WHEN USING THIS SOLUTION IN THE EYES AND EARS, DO NOT USE ANY THAT WAS NOT PLACED INTO THE STERILE EYE DROPPER BOTTLE. DISCARD ANY SOLUTION THAT IS NOT USED WITHIN 24 HOURS; MAKE FRESH SOLUTION ** DAILY **. DO NOT TOUCH THE TIP OF THE EYE DROPPER TO ANY SURFACE THAT IS NOT STERILE AND DO NOT TOUCH THE EYE OR SURROUNDING AREA WITH THE EYE DROPPER. A LARGER CONTAINER MAY BE USED TO STORE SOLUTION IF AN EYE WASH CUP IS TO BE USED INSTEAD OF AN EYE DROPPER. SOLUTION MAY BE USED 2 to 4 DAILY. EXTENDED USE IS NOT RECOMMENDED. ANY EYE PROBLEM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SERIOUS, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSIDER SEEING YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

Just came across this thread. Thanks so much for all the information. A friend of mine has Shingles, (in her eyes) I am going to let her read about boric acid eye wash. Thanks again.

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Ed. note: Pardon the volume of postings on this subject, but see also letter 7156, "Boric Acid as an Eyewash".

A. My child quit responding to antibiotics (repeated middle ear infections) some time back but the docs kept prescribing it for every little thing. The last ENT we went to at the South Bend Clinic prescribed boric acid powder to puff into her ear to cure a nasty prolonged case of swimmer's ear. He said to keep the infected ear dry for a week, puffing about the equivalent of a crushed tylenol amount into the ear with a bulb syringe every morning and evening. WORKED WONDERS! I still swear by the 50/50 alcohol & vinegar drops after swimming but the boric acid powder works wonders when the ear won't dry out.

Thank goodness for this site--- my husband has persistent case of clogged ears-- he keeps telling me about this boric acid solution he used in the past- passed on by his father--- I would not let him under any circumstances do it - I only knew of boric acid for killing roaches and was horrified as to what it might do to my husbands ears- well after doing research and checking out this site I know he's not crazy and I'm not terrified anymore. Thanks guys!

A. Hi all, perhaps this story will help.

I was in Mexico visiting my aunt, and I showed up at her door after having spent 24 hours straight on a bus from Guatemala. I was wearing hiking boots and have been known to have sweaty feet. As soon as I took my boots off in her house she pointed me to a container with a white powder.

After washing my feet I applied the powder directly onto my feet and sprinkled some in my boots. For one of the first times in recent years I was not worrying about how stinky my feet were.

Apparently her husband was in the Mexican army and upon walking into the rancid barracks recommended that his COs put out bowls of boric acid for the soldiers to rub their feet with. It worked so well he got a promotion on his first day. cheers, jerod

A. I don't know about boric acid killing athletes foot or toenail fungus. However, I have gotten rid of both by soaking my feet in a bleach [adv: bleach/sodium hypochlorite in bulk on eBay or Amazon] water solution. I don't have a ratio of bleach to water, but the worse the athletes foot, the more bleach I used. It may sting a little, but it gets rid of the problem. It's a little more tricky for the toenails. Just make sure that the bleach gets under the toenail. It takes longer to cure than athletes foot so be patient. Sorry for the non-metal reference, but I know how nasty these things can be and bleach is cheap and easy to use.:)

A. I use boric acid for recurrent yeast infections. There are a few pharmacists that provide boric acid capsules. Many state that it is too time-consuming. The treatment has been working for me, especially after continuous use of medications. The capsules can be obtained with a doctor's prescription. It's too bad that doctors don't provide this information more often.

A. Boric Acid is the TRUE answer for yeast infections. I had battled one for weeks (following being on antibiotics for a bad case of strep throat)and in desperation went to a health store. I was told by a young woman there she had battled yeast infections for years until she found Boric Acid, and hasn't had once since. I used it, and it was gone within 24 hours. Purchase clear gel capsules (medium to large size) and fill with boric acid [affil links]. Place in vagina two times a day. (The first day I used two capsules each time). It is THE remedy!

A. In response to "These bites start as a light prickly feeling, a small red dot and when you scratch they bleed.I have tried everything and everyone is baffled."

That sounds like chiggers, there is a product called chiggerX that takes care of the bites and sulfur sprinkled around the house will keep them from coming into your house. Don't know if Boric Acid would get rid of them on the inside though.

A. LICE. When I was younger and poor, my kids got head lice at school; I couldn't afford the over the counter stuff so I used K 1 kerosene. Just of course keep away from fire and smokes while treating. Soak the hair with K 1 , wrap in a towel for a little while, then use one of the combs to comb out. ALL hair brushes, hats, pillows, sheets, and even the mattress must be disinfected. I learned later on that the lice can jump off one person to another if they are close ... usually with kids they are sharing hairbrushes, combs or even hats at school.

A. A solution of 1/3 hydrogen peroxide mixed with 2/3 of water adding 20 mule team borax until it will not dissolve in the solution anymore will work for killing lice. After washing hair, rinse the mixture thoroughly into the hair and let dry overnight. In the morning rinse the mixture from the hair. You may want to repeat this process in two weeks.

A. Regarding using boric acid for roach killer... A wonderful product that does just that. My mother is extremely allergic to the traditional insect killers such as bombs, repellant and aerosols. She also has a young cat. So I was also very concerned about inhalants for my mother and her cat.- Not to worry. I used a clear ketchup type bottle that has a good pointed end on it(like the ones you use on picnics) I filled the bottle using a funnel with the boric acid (no sugar). I went through every nook and cranny in her kitchen and literally just squirted the boric acid into the area. Including under and around the refrigerator, stove, I climbed up to the cabinets and squirted around all the hiding places. - It took me about an hour to go through everything in the kitchen. - But it was worth it. One week later I vacuumed everything.. moved the refrigerator there were only 3 roaches there, so I squirted more boric acid there. I vacuumed all the cabinets, one by one and put more boric acid behind all the containers and food stuff. This has now been more than 6 months ago... NEVER again have we fought with roaches again... No adverse reactions on my mother and of course the cat is unaffected because all the boric acid is in cabinets and under appliances. It's the first time in my life that she has not had to fight these insects off. -- Slightly time consuming to do, but definitely safe and well worth the time.. no more bugs. Not even one. Hope this helps.

Boric Acid as an eye wash:

I recently purchased a large 12 oz. bottle of Boric Acid at my local Eckerd Drug store; It was located with the first-aid supplies. I had once heard of using Boric acid as an eye wash...through a biology professor. I recently asked a pharmacist (at a different pharmacy--which did not carry it) if Boric acid was the correct ingredient as an eye wash, and he concurred. He told me though, that it must be used very carefully... He said "the denominations were: 1 T. Boric Acid/Per 8 quarts of boiled water-which has then been thoroughly cooled to about room temperature.... He said that it is imperative that the water be boiled first...in order to properly sterilize it, and dissolve the Boric acid,etc.. Of course,you must take extra care to make certain that the solution has completely cooled to room temperature before using it (to prevent serious damage/burns). Also, If it's not dissolved properly it could scratch your eye as well.

Q. I don't know how to make a proper roach kill...but I once knew some people in Oklahoma who just sprinkled the powder directly to the back/bottom of their cupboards, cracks, & floorboards. I would caution though not to put it anywhere near dishes, utensils, food, or where a baby/infant might have access to, as it is poisonous.

Good Luck.

A. Regarding boric acid being used for flea infestations. I am currently going through a flea infestation and all the websites I found on natural flea repellants recommended sprinkling boric acid on all the carpets and furniture throughout the house, making sure to sprinkle under all furniture etc. For tile, linoleum etc., Dissolve boric acid in water and wash all floors with it. Vacuum the boric acid up 24 hours later and it is said to prevent fleas for 1 year(from pest removal companies), or until your carpets are shampooed. I am on my way out to buy some right now and try it out!

A. I am the mother of 5 children and yes boric acid/borax can be used for roaches and for fleas. I would recommend putting it in the hiding places for roaches (as suggested by other responses). As for fleas, I had a bad flea infestation in 1993 and my 3 year old got impetigo. The exterminator suggested that it wasn't safe to have children around the chemicals used in exterminating fleas (not to mention it was pricey!). He told me to do this:

1) Vacuum the carpet
2) Sprinkle Borax all over carpet (don't let your children play on the floor).
3) buy one night light per room and put them UPSIDE DOWN in the lower outlet.
4) Put one drop of dish soap in bowls (as many bowls as night lights) and fill with water.
5) Place bowls underneath the night lights

Leave the borax on the carpet and the night light lit for 7 days. This is what happens. The lice will get the borax on/in them and start to die. In their panic they will want to feed. They will seek heat ..aka a host.. but the night lights are hotter than a human body so they jump on the night light rather than you. The heat knocks them off into the bowl of water. Normally, they could simply jump off the top of the water but since you have dish soap in it, they sink and drown.

THIS WORKS. I have used this MANY MANY times.

Again, this is not about finishing.
Re: boric acid and fleas, Boric acid usually has pH under 5 which is why it is an irritant and can be toxic in quantity.

There is a company called Fleabusters which will come to your house and use a carpet machine that "massages" (Sodium-PolyBorate with a neutral PH of 7.0) into your carpet. It acts as a desiccant when any of the microscopic particles of the negatively charged powder come in contact with the larvae, the pupae or the egg.

After 2-6 weeks the home is completely free of fleas, but you have to keep vacuuming to get the flea eggs to hatch and dry out the fleas. There is also a DIY brand called Terminator powder that you can put in your carpet and around your floors yourself. I have used the Terminator powder around puppies and my breeding dogs and consider it to be safe. It is an inorganic salt and, obviously, cleaning the carpet dissolves the powder and you must reapply when the carpet is dry. I found this page looking for a boric acid concentration to use in my show dogs ears for yeast infections. Several commercial ear washes for pets contain 2% solutions. I found descriptions on several online pet supply websites.

BUT, I just wanted to be sure it was safe for my 4-legged kids. I'm not sure I would be comfortable using the straight powder from the drugstore. (BTW, there are online drugstores which carry the boric acid if you have no local source.) There is an European Union website talking about their regs regarding safe concentrations for cosmetics, hair and bath products, etc.
Great info about the taxidermy supply(ed. note: see the "where to buy" section). With a lot of big dogs, might be an inexpensive source for treating carpets and play areas.

Thanks for all the other info, too.

A. I have had great luck with Boric Acid as a bug killer!
Very safe around pets..my cats wouldn't go near the stuff, but to be safe put it where they can't reach it. As for fungus-especially feet and nails...a safer remedy than bleach is to add tea tree oil to warm water and soak your feet daily. It can be applied to nails with Q-tip [affil links] twice a day...it will smell though.

It will cure the fungus safer than the crap the MD will give you and it won't kill your liver doing it.

A. Hi: after 32 years in my home I discovered that I had roaches...could have brought them home on containers from store or they just wanted to take up residence. After researching the internet discovered that boric acid was cure. I made up a mix of 50% each boric acid & flour and went to town with a small plastic container in back of stove, fridge, counters, baseboards, bathroom, within a few days the problem was gone. I bought a 25 lb container on line...as I was told that boric acid does not go bad. It has been about 5 months and not one has shown up. Now my daughter has moved into an apt in NYC and within minutes found out that she has roaches so I made up a gallon container of the mix and am giving it to her and a friend. Also I made up a spray mix....1/4 cup boric acid to a quart spray bottle w/water for ants or meal moths if I spot them. works great good luck!

A. Many years ago we lived in a rental house that was being taken over by roaches. I used powdered sugar mixed with boric acid in small plastic lids (like coffee cans etc) and also took a teaspoon and sprinkled over the door facings. In the middle of all this I put a few pieces of Purina Chunky Dog Food to lure them. In the night I would get up and find tons of bugs in the dog food bowl so it must have had something in it they liked so I used it as a lure. Couple of weeks later no bugs anywhere. It is time consuming but worth it.

A. Boric acid is good to kill termites, but it needs to be ingested. I made some a few weeks ago. I used boric acid mixed with safety antifreeze ( I used the RV stuff ). It allows for a longer wet time to allow it to penetrate the wood further.

Q. What is the mix ratio of Polyglycol [anti-freeze]/boric acid for termite control? Thanks

A. I have used Roach Ridd which is 99% boric acid. It was made -some years ago - by Enforcer Products, P.O.Box 1068, Cartersville, GA 30120.

We had a flea infestation some years ago. When researching this seeking an effective flea killer, I was told that most commercial services come in and basically spread around boric acid, which is cheap, using some impressive sounding name for their proprietary product or process. I was told if you spread around boric acid then vacuum it up. It effectively kills fleas, roaches, and ?

I was also told that if a cat ingests boric acid, it can cause problems - possible liver or kidney damage, as I recall.

A. I place Boric Acid, from the pharmacy sized can, into the walls when doing remodeling work/trim work in my home. I do not leave it exposed to the elements where you can breathe the dust, and when placing it in the walls, I use a mask and gloves. I do this to ensure there are no creepy crawlers living in my walls - a trick I learned after a major flood in our first home. The boric acid lays in the walls/ on the floors in the walls, and any bugs that walk through it will die - it's just too acidic for them. I have never had breathing problems from doing this, nor has my family. Just fyi....

A. I am replying to those looking for a way to kill bugs safely. Buy Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth -- food grade only! Use it to kill fleas, lice, roaches, spiders, etc. It's safe to use (you can even drink it in water 1/2 teaspoon in water per day) you can dust in on your pets . . . rub it into their fur -- it gets rid of all parasites and pests!
If you are trying to get rid of scabies you need to use borax and hydrogen peroxide in a bath daily for three days.
Hope this helps you all :0)

Thank you, Rosemary . . . I think!

Boric acid is used in metal finishing; as a result it is mentioned frequently on this site, and in turn that put us into the search engines. The result has been that we've received questions about boric acid and athlete's foot, boric acid and bathing, boric acid and cats, boric acid and douches, boric acid and eyewash, boric acid and finishing, boric acid and garage dampness--and I'm sure we have the other 19 letters covered :-)

But we do warn people that these topics are generally not within the editors' or regular readers' expertise, so there may well be errors here that we are unqualified to correct. Also the web is, for practical purposes, anonymous--so a prankster could claim anything and we wouldn't even know who they are. So don't necessarily believe everything you read. Trust but verify?

I would like to say that this page is a wonderful source of information about the uses of boric Acid. I have an eight year old cat, who can get foxtails(weeds) in his eyes. I use boric Acid to clean it up after I've gotten the piece of weed out of his eye. It works wonderfully. I've used it in the past on kittens eyes also. Thanks for all the great information on how to use as a eye wash.

A. I live way out in the boonies and at present my car is not running. Needed care for a new born kitten, infected eye. Nearest vet is about 60 miles away So Being the old lady that I am I told my daughter to get borax crystals. Would you believe the places she called that we could get to most did not even know what it was. When she told one guy what she wanted it for he told her it could not be used for the eyes. Guess what? My grandma delivered me and she cleaned my eyes with it way over 60 years ago. I still have my sight. I was delighted to find this site. My daughter is more at ease about cleaning the kittens eye.

A. I am glad to find this thread on Boric Acid! Based on an article in the highly reputable Whole Dog Journal, I tried using pure boric acid in my dog's ears. Just a pinch in each one and massaged down into the canal with my finger. (She has had chronic ear infections for about 6 years and we've tried hundreds of dollars of prescriptions and over-the-counter drops, to no avail.) For the first time in years, she's not digging at her ears after the first application! If it ever flairs up again I will make a solution to wash them out with using BA and h2o. PS: my favorite cleaning product, and hand soap, is Boraxo. But that is NOT what I used in my dog's ears.

I have tried everything for my dog's dry eye, and nothing worked until I mixed the boric acid with golden seal in distilled water. I am so pleased, thank you. The first day I could tell how great it works. He is blind in one eye and both were dry. He is happy because he can see out of his good eye. Thank You for this great site.

Let the threads go where they might ... I learned a lot --jt

A. I use Boric acid and water in a 5 Gallon pail to soak my work shirts in. It helps keep them from getting lots holes from welding sparks.

A. Boric acid seems to have a thousand uses I myself use it when making forge welds in blacksmithing.. when steel is at a dull red heat sprinkle a little borax (regular 20 mule team works just fine) and it dissolves the scale and oxides which form on the surface of the steel (much like the oxides which form scum on the top of brass and other such metals when melting for casts). and provides a semi protective coating against oxidation in the fire. Allowing you to bring the temp up that extra couple hundred degrees to get your welding heat.. when you compare that price of a 5 lbs box about 3 dollars at Walmart to commercial forge welding fluxes like cherry weld and swan magic weld etc at 20 dollars for a 12 ounce bottle, it's a steal. I stumbled across this thread but I have been to this site before and have come across a few basic experiments I tried in electroplating -- tons of fun and knowledge here...

A. Boric Acid-is wonderful first aid help. For external use I make strong solution with water (tap water, bottled or distilled). I usually have some powder with me when going for camping etc. It's fantastic to cure hemorrhoids (little dressing made of cotton ball soaked with boric acid solution). Badly injured at the base index finger (I could see the bones) I kept all night in a jar filled with strong solution of boric acid. The next morning my hand was almost OK, no swelling, no pain. You will get the same result using table salt but first few minutes is painful. Another wonderful thing is epsom salt [affil links] for stomach flu, food poisoning, indigestion, bloating, constipation. Tale 1/4 or 1/8 of the teaspoon on your tongue and swallow. You may use unscented epsom salt for the bath. It is coarser and much cheaper than the one for the oral use. I use boric acid, epsom salt and baking soda all my life and used in emergency when my kids were sick or any of our pets got in trouble. I use one more thing: charcoal (for stomach problems). From pharmacy I use only aspirin to water some of my plants.
For good tips how to help myself I am using this website and "earth clinic". Both are wonderful because of people like you who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences.

A. Borax can be obtained in bulk from any taxidermy supplier. Borax is used as a skin preserver, E.g. bird mounts.

A. Dear Rhea Newman - I just purchased a bottle of boric acid [affil links] yesterday at the drug store for $5.99 I too live in Dallas Texas- I purchased it at the Eckerds across from the Duncaville Walmart.

A. To Dallas Lady, although I live in New Jersey, I bought some recently at Walmart and if it's in one store it should be in all.

Good Luck,

A. Just to let everyone know about WHERE YOU CAN FIND BORIC ACID, most K-mart stores that have a pharmacy carry it. It sells for 1.89 for 4 ounces. It is in the aisle where you would find the Caladril/Calimine lotion /anti-itch creams/first aid etc. Just thought all of you would like to know. Our local Walgreens did not carry it, but K-mart did and still does. I use it for eye washes.( Human and animal) This last eye wash was for a hamster..I have previously used it for many a horse eye washes. It does "raise a few eyebrows" when you ask for it, and I have gotten the 3rd degree from Walgreens as to what I was going to use it for. It's a common and inexpensive eyewash, as you can see from many of the eye washes on the market (Baush & Lomb and others) their eye washes are made from ... you guessed it, Boric acid and sterile water. At a much higher cost. Look at the back of the eye wash labels next time you go to the store.

A. To the first lady in the Questions on where to buy bulk on Borax...

Here is a site that you need to check out. Hope this helps:
http://www.bulkapothecary.com/product/raw-ingredients/other-ingredients-and-chemicals/borax/

A. Applied as a white powder, boric acid is inorganic and is odorless. The Environmental Protection Agency has established that boric acid is benign.

The Safe Use of Boric Acid and Boron No. 10
By J.R. Blasius

Borates, including boric acid, have been used since the days of the ancient Greeks for cleaning, preserving food and other everyday activities.

Today, boric acid is found in more every day uses and products than ever before. Among them are eye wash solutions, flame retardants, insecticides, glass products and fertilizers. And yet with all these uses over all these years, the question, "Is boric acid toxic?" seems to be raised with regularity every year. Asking "How toxic is boric acid?" is sort of like asking "How hot is hot?" The answer clearly needs to be qualified...and, yes, scientists have figured out a means to compare one chemical to the next. In fact, on this scale, scientists and/or regulators can compare most anything that can be swallowed, inhaled or put in one's eyes.

The scale I am referring to gives 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. 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 and Boron No. 10 are not significantly different in toxicity than common table salt. In addition, both boric acid and Boron No. 10 are less toxic than aspirin. The greater the LD50 rating the safer the substance is. When compared to these common household items, boric acid and Boron No. 10 are not particularly dangerous, and, if used properly, will not cause poisoning. 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.

If you believe aspirin or table salt is dangerous, poisonous or in some other way life threatening, then you probably should not use borates. If, on the other hand, you can rationally look at the comparative data, you will probably come to the conclusion that boric acid and Boron No. 10 are among the safest of choices ........

A. Maybe I am out of my league here, and call me crazy but...WHY on earth would you want to put something in your precious eyes like boric acid? The very same stuff that is used to kill cockroaches, ants and many other numerous insects! It all sounds a little crazy to me. I would do some major investigating before I would do it. Actually, IF it were me, I would NOT do it to begin with. Who can afford to lose their sight?!

A. You're half right Sheri. You are right that putting an ungraded industrial chemical of the wrong strength into your eyes, instead of using a tested USP grade, is risky. And you're also right that you shouldn't trust advice from the internet, where people are strangers and maybe even impostors posting deliberately harmful advice, unless the arguments are good.

But boric acid is a buffer that has traditionally been used as an eyewash, and I'll bet you'd find that Murine and Visine and contact lens cleaners are based on it. Just because boric acid kills insects through dehydration or them eating large quantities of it 4doesn't automatically mean it's bad for humans.

A. RE: THE safety of using boric acid. I recently had neurotologic ear surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Before surgery the ear had to be totally dry. Dr. at Hopkins gave me dry boric acid in capsule form with an atomizer with instructions on how to use. Had to blow 2 puffs of dry boric acid into my ear twice a week for 6 weeks before he would do the surgery. If it is being dispensed at Hopkins it can't be too dangerous.