In one study, scientists found that rats fed borax experienced atrophy of their testes, or reproductive organs. They may especially impair male reproduction, reducing sperm count and libido. High exposure to borax (and boric acid) is believed to disrupt the body’s hormones. People have reported burns from borax exposure to their skin. These include:īorax exposure can irritate the skin or eyes and can also irritate the body if inhaled or exposed. The National Institutes of Health has found that borax has been associated with several adverse health effects in humans. While people are mostly exposed to borax in their homes, they may also encounter it at work, such as in factories or at borax mining and refining plants.
In dedicated household water softener units that rely on the active ingredient in Borax (sodium tetraborate), the chemical is confined to the brine tank and never comes in contact with the fresh drinking water. While Borax is a chemical water softener that can be directly added to the laundry, this does not mean it is safe to consume orally. Borax often comes in a box with a caution label warning users that the product is an eye irritant and that it may be harmful if swallowed. While borax may be natural, that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. Though these are different boron-based compounds, neither of them are safe to drink.
Boric acid, however, is usually used exclusively as a pesticide and is much more toxic than sodium tetraborate, so it should be handled with extra special care.
People sometimes confuse sodium tetraborate - the main ingredient in borax - and boric acid, which has similar properties. Instead, its main ingredient is sodium tetraborate, a naturally occurring mineral.
Is borax safe to ingest or put on your skin?īorax is marketed as a green product because it doesn’t contain phosphates or chlorine.
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