Boron

Scientific Name(S): Boron, an element

Common Name(S): Boron

Boron is a nonmetallic element present in the diet and in the human body in trace amounts. Whether boron is an essential nutrient for humans remains in debate.

Boron appears to affect the metabolism of calcium , magnesium , copper , phosphorus, and vitamin D . Preliminary research suggests that boron might affect bone and joint health, but little specific information is known.

Source: The element boron (B, atomic number 5) is found in deposits in the earth's crust at a concentration of about 0.001 %. It is obtained in the form of its compounds and never in its elemental state. Environmental boron is taken up by plants in trace amounts, thereby contributing to dietary boron intake. Boron was originally obtained in 1895 from the reduction of boric anhydride; today this remains a commercially important way to produce impure boron. Pure boron takes the form of clear red or black crystals, depending upon its crystalline shape. The crystals can be as hard as diamonds. The chemistry of boron is extremely complex, with entire texts devoted solely to this topic.

History: Boron has been used in nuclear chemistry as a neutron absorber. It has also been added to other metals to form harder alloys. In medicine, boron is most commonly found in the form of boric acid, which is used as a topical astringent and anti-infective, as well as an opthalmologic irrigant. Sodium borate is bacteriostatic and is commonly added to cold creams, eye washes and mouth rinses.

Uses of Boron

Boric acid is a topical astringent, mild disnfectant and eye wash. Sprinkled in crevies and corners, boric acid powder controls rodents and the cell selectiveness of radtion therapy.

Side Effects of Boron

Boric acid and borates are toxic and potentially fatal when ingested or absorbed through broken skin. Solutions should not be used on broken skin or severely affected mucous membranes.

Dosage

A leading boron expert has suggested 1 mg per day of boron is a reasonable amount to consume. People who eat adequate amounts of produce, nuts, and legumes are likely already eating two to six times this amount. Therefore, whether the average person would benefit by supplementing with this mineral remains unclear.

Toxicology: Boric acid and borates are toxic when ingested or absorbed through broken skin. An oral dose of 0.3 g/kg can be fatal, and serious toxicity can occur following the ingestion of as little as 5 g in infants and 15 to 20 g in adults. Boric acid solutions should be labeled not to be used on broken skin or on severely irritated or inflamed mucous membranes in order to prevent toxicity as a result of its topical absorption.

Fatalities have been reported because of confusion between boric acid and similar-looking powders (ie, baking soda, dextrose). Stringent controls should be maintained in hospitals, nursing homes and other public facilities to prevent possible intoxications due to boron-containing products.

There is no effective antidote to boron poisoning, and treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Symptoms of toxicity include irritation and sloughing of skin, gastrointestinal irritation, restlessness, weakness, kidney and liver damage, convulsions, coma or death.

Summary: The element boron is distributed throughout the earth's crust and found in trace quantities in normal diets. Compounds containing boron are used medicinally, but all pose a potential toxic hazard if ingested or absorbed through non-intact skin.