Sodium tetraborate pentahydrate |

Last updated: 23/08/2025
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(Also known as: sodium borate; sodium tetraborate; disodium tetraborate; borax decahydrate ; borax) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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A naturally occuring mineral salt that has insecticidal, fungicidal and herbicidal activity |
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Ants; Termites; Cockroaches; Silverfish; Waterbugs |
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Mainly non-cropped situations |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Yes |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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None |
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B₄H₁₀Na₂O₁₂ |
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B(O)(O)O.O.O.O.O.O.[Na+] |
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- |
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OPBPQNWVXFJUKS-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
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InChI=1S/BH3O3.Na.5H2O/c2-1(3)4;;;;;;/h2-4H;;5*1H2/q;+1;;;;; |
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Yes |
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Insecticide; Fungicide |
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Inorganic compound |
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- |
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- |
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Natural |
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Stomach poison for insects. Multi-site activity. |
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Naturally occurring mineral that exist in trace amounts in rock, soil & water |
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Non-crop applications |
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Wide range of insects including termite, beetles, cockroaches and ants |
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- |
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- |
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11130-12-4 |
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12179-04-3 |
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601-071-6 |
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- |
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011111 |
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No data |
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No data found |
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291.29 |
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- |
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- |
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sodium tetraborate pentahydrate |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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8D |
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NC |
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- |
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White, odourless powder |
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Current |
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1946, first registered as insecticide in USA |
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- |
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- Borateem
- Gerstely
- Polubor
- Solubor
- Mule team
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Formulated as a white crystalline substance |
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Sodium tetraborate pentahydrate is commercially produced through a multi-step chemical process that typically begins with the reaction of colemanite, a naturally occurring borate mineral, with sodium carbonate in water. This reaction yields an aqueous solution containing sodium tetraborate and sodium hydroxide, while precipitating calcium carbonate as a byproduct. After removing the solid calcium carbonate, the solution is treated with boric acid to neutralize the sodium hydroxide and increase the yield of sodium tetraborate. The final step involves crystallising sodium tetraborate pentahydrate from the solution by controlled cooling, resulting in high-purity white crystals. |
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36000 |
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High |
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1575 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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1.50 X 1000 |
Calculated |
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0.175 |
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Low |
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1.82 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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2660 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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> 2510 |
Colinus virginianus |
Low |
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> 187 |
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source Eisenia foetida as boric acid |
Moderate |
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> 362 |
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Low |
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> 65 |
Oncorhynchus mykiss as boron |
Moderate |
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> 133 |
Daphnia magna as boron |
Low |
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> 1.2 |
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source Chlorella vulgaris as boron |
Moderate |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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High (class III) |
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2660 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative |
?Possibly, status not identified |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
?Possibly, status not identified |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
?Possibly, status not identified |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal problems Possible testes toxicant |
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Non-flammable, flame retardent |
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Health: H360FD |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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sodium tetraborate pentahydrate |
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Record last updated: |
23/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |