Stronger effect / evidence




Weaker effect / evidence
Boric acid
CAS: 10043-35-3
How can this chemical affect my health?
Acute (Short Term) EffectsData sources

Toxic to Humans & Animals – Can be fatal on contact, ingestion or inhalation for humans and other mammals.

Irritates the Eyes – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the eye.

Irritates the Skin – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the skin.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Toxic to Humans & Animals
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- FIFRA Registered PesticideUS EPA - OPP - Registered PesticidesUS Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
Direct Hazard » Irritates the Eyes
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Eye irritation category 2GHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
- H319 - Causes serious eye irritation [Serious eye damage / eye irritation - Category 2]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
Direct Hazard » Irritates the Skin
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H315 - Causes skin irritation [Skin corrosion / irritation - Category 2]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
Chronic (Long Term) EffectsData sources

Cancer – Can cause or increase the risk of cancer.

Endocrine Disruption – Can interfere with hormone communication between cells which controls metabolism, development, growth, reproduction and behavior (the endocrine system).

Reproductive Harm – Can disrupt the male or female reproductive systems, changing sexual development, behavior or functions, decreasing fertility, or resulting in loss of the fetus during pregnancy.

Birth Defects – Can cause harm to the developing child including birth defects, low birth weight and biological or behavioral problems that appear as the child grows.

Other Health Effects – Can cause serious damage on contact or ingestion.
Data sources
Boron Compounds » Cancer
These sources refer to a group of compounds containing this chemical:
- (1999) Data are inadequate for an assessment of human carcinogenic potentialUS EPA - IRIS CarcinogensUS Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
Direct Hazard » Endocrine Disruption
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Category 1 - In vivo evidence of Endocrine Disruption ActivityEU - Priority Endocrine DisruptorsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Potential Endocrine DisruptorTEDX - Potential Endocrine DisruptorsThe Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX)
Direct Hazard » Reproductive Harm
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Toxic to reproduction - Candidate listEU - SVHC ListEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Toxic to reproduction - Prioritized for listingEU - SVHC ListEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H360FD - May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child [Reproductive toxicity - Category 1A or 1B]EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Reproductive toxicity category 2GHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
- H360 - May damage fertility or the unborn child [Toxic to reproduction - Category 1B]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- Reproductive Toxicity - Category 1BEU - Annex VI CMRsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H360FD - May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child [Reproductive toxicity - Category 1A or 1B]GHS - AustraliaSafe Work Australia
- H360 - Suspected of / May damage fertility and/or the unborn child (unverified) [Reproductive toxicity - Category 1A or 1B]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Direct Hazard » Birth Defects
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Pregnancy Risk Group BMAKMAK Commission of Germany (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
Direct Hazard » Other Health Effects
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H370 - Causes damage to organs [Specific target organs/systemic toxicity following single exposure - Category 1]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
Inherent HazardsData sources

Restricted List – This chemical is on a list from an authoritative body recommending that its use be avoided.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Restricted List
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Candidate Chemical ListCA SCP - Candidate ChemicalsCalifornia Department of Toxic Substance Control (CA DTSC)
- Substances selected for RMOA or hazard assessmentEU - PACT-RMOA SubstancesEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- AntimicrobialsGSPI - Six Classes of Problematic ChemicalsGreen Science Policy Institute (GSPI)
- Ingredients that are Restricted for Use in Cosmetic ProductsHealth Canada - Cosmetic Ingredient HotlistHealth Canada
- Chemicals of High ConcernMDH - Chemicals of High Concern and Priority ChemicalsMinnesota Department of Public Health
- Annex II - Prohibited SubstancesEU - Cosmetics RegulationEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- CFP EU Candidate SVHC ListCPA - Chemical FootprintClean Production Action (CPA)
- Declarable and Reference Substance Lists (DSL and RSL)IEC 62474 - Material Declaration for Products of and for the Electrotechnical IndustryInternational Electrotechnical Commission
- Cosmetics & Personal Care ProductsC2C Certified v4 Product Standard Restricted Substances List (RSL) - Effective July 1, 2022Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII)
- Food Contact Chemicals Database Version 5.0Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb)Food Packaging Forum
- Food Contact Chemicals of Concern List (FCCoCL)Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoCL)Food Packaging Forum
- Food Contact Chemicals of Concern List (FCCoCL) - TIER 3Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoCL)Food Packaging Forum
- Substances of Very High Concern (RIVM ZZS)Substances of Very High Concern (RIVM ZZS)The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
- ZDHC - MRSL v2.0ZDHC - MRSL v2.0Zero Discharge of Hazardous Waste Chemicals Programme
- FPF Priority Substance List from FCCdbFPF Priority Substance List from FCCdbFood Packaging Forum
- Food Packaging Forum Priority Substances ListGreenScreen Certified Standard for Food Service Ware RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
- TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory - ActiveTSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (Active-Inactive)US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- Enzymes and Stabilizers - Yellow Triangle (Best available in class but some hazard profile issues)US EPA - DfE Safer Chemicals Ingredients list (SCIL)US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- Flame Retardants (Non-electronic)GreenScreen Certified Standard for Furniture & Fabrics Bronze RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
- Flame Retardants (Non-electronic)GreenScreen Certified Standard for Furniture & Fabrics Silver-Gold RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
- GreenScreen List Translator LT-1GreenScreen Certified Standard for Medical Supplies & Devices Silver-Gold RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
- Non-Halogenated Flame RetardantsGreenScreen Certified Standard for Medical Supplies & Devices Bronze RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
- Non-Halogenated Flame RetardantsGreenScreen Certified Standard for Medical Supplies & Devices Silver-Gold RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
Boron Compounds » Restricted List
These sources refer to a group of compounds containing this chemical:
- Biological and Environmentally Released MaterialsC2C Certified v4 Product Standard Restricted Substances List (RSL) - Effective July 1, 2022Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII)
- Children's ProductsC2C Certified v4 Product Standard Restricted Substances List (RSL) - Effective July 1, 2022Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII)
[11113-50-1] Boric Acid (primary Casrn Is 10043-35-3) » Restricted List
These sources refer to a group of compounds containing this chemical:
- AntimicrobialsGreenScreen Certified Standard for Food Service Ware RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
Antimicrobials » Restricted List
These sources refer to a group of compounds containing this chemical:
- Antimicrobials (Surface Pathogens)GreenScreen Certified Standard for Medical Supplies & Devices Bronze RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
- Antimicrobials (Surface Pathogens)GreenScreen Certified Standard for Medical Supplies & Devices Silver-Gold RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
How does this chemical impact the environment?Data sources

Persistent – Does not break down readily from natural processes.

Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – Long term exposure may result in irreversible harm to fish or other aquatic organisms.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Persistent
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- PersistentEC - CEPA DSLEnvironment Canada & Health Canada (EC)
Direct Hazard » Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Designed for biocidal actionGHS - New ZealandNew Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
What safer alternatives are available for this chemical?
Find case studies related to substitutions for this chemical in SubsPORT, the substitution support portal.