Leslie Massey
Borax, also known as boron, sodium borate, or sodium tetraborate, is a naturally-occurring mineral with powerful antifungal and cleaning properties. While it is commonly used in multi-purpose cleaning products, cosmetics, and homemade slime, there are concerns about its safety, particularly when ingested. Although it is not banned in Australia, the sale of borax is restricted to household cleaners or pesticides, and it is banned as a food additive. This is because borax can be harmful if ingested in high quantities, and large boxes of borax can pose a risk to children and animals if spilled. Additionally, the European Chemicals Agency has listed borax as a substance of very high concern, partly due to the debate around whether excess boron in the soil harms crops.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Borax banned in Australia | No, but it is only legal to sell borax in the form of household cleaners or pesticides; borax as a food additive is banned. |
| Borax banned in the UK | Yes, due to it being a 'potentially harmful' substance |
| Borax banned in the EU | Restricted for sale to the general public under Annexe XVII of EU Regulation 552/2009 |
| Borax banned in the US | The FDA banned the use of borax in food |
| Concerns about safety | Some people consider it "toxic", "dangerous", "harmful", and "poison"; it is classified as a mild skin irritant and a mild lung irritant |
| Other uses | Ant killer, water softening agent, arthritis treatment, enamel glazes, ceramics component, coating for dry-cured meats, emulsifier or preservative in cosmetics, homemade slime |
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What You'll Learn
Borax is a natural mineral with several uses
Borax, also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, is a natural mineral with a variety of uses. It is composed of boron, sodium, oxygen, and water molecules. While it is found naturally in salt flats, dry lake beds, and sedimentary rocks, it can also be made synthetically in a lab.
Borax has been used for various purposes throughout history. Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Romans used borax as a cleaning agent, a flux for soldering metals, and a food preservative. It was also employed in traditional medicine and glass and ceramic production. Today, borax is commonly used in household cleaning products due to its natural cleansing and deodorizing properties. It can effectively clean surfaces, remove stains, and eliminate odours.
In addition to its cleaning capabilities, borax serves as a water softening agent and has powerful antifungal properties, making it useful for treating mildew or fungal infections. It is also an essential component in homemade laundry detergents and can enhance the cleaning power of commercial laundry products. Borax is further utilised as a less toxic alternative to chemical insecticides for pest control.
Beyond household applications, borax finds use in metallurgy, acting as a flux to facilitate welding, soldering, and brazing of metals. It is also employed in agriculture as a micronutrient for plants, particularly in boron-deficient soils. Additionally, borax is used in cosmetics as an emulsifier or preservative in products like moisturisers, scrubs, and shampoos. However, despite its natural origin and versatility, borax should be handled with caution as it may cause skin, eye, and inhalation irritation and can be harmful if swallowed.
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It is legal to sell in Australia, but only as a cleaner or pesticide
Borax is a naturally occurring compound that has been used as a cleaning product for several decades. It is a powerful antifungal agent and can be used to scrub, disinfect, and deodorise. It is also used in cosmetics and homemade slime. While borax is banned in the UK and the EU due to it being a 'potentially harmful substance', it is legal to sell in Australia. However, there are restrictions on its sale and use.
In Australia, borax can only be sold and used as a household cleaner or pesticide. It is not legal to sell or use borax as a food additive, and it cannot be purchased by the general public for this purpose. This is because the FDA has banned borax as a food additive, and it is listed as a substance of "very high concern" by the European Chemicals Agency. There are concerns about the potential health risks of borax ingestion, particularly for children and pregnant people, and its impact on soil and crops.
The number one use for borax in Australia is in household cleaning products. It can be found in kitchen surface sprays, dish soap, and laundry detergents. It is also used as a water softening agent and for general pest control, including as an ant killer. Some people also use borax for arthritis healing and recovery, and to treat mildew or fungal infections in humans.
While borax has many legitimate and useful applications in Australia, it is important to use it safely and according to the law. There are alternative products available for those who are wary of using borax, such as white vinegar and baking soda for cleaning, and borax-free recipes for homemade slime.
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It is banned as a food additive in Australia
Borax, also known as boron, sodium borate, or sodium tetraborate, is a naturally occurring mineral found in "evaporite deposits" around the world. It is commonly used as a cleaning product and has antifungal and disinfectant properties. While borax is legal to sell in Australia, it is banned as a food additive.
The use of borax as a food additive is a controversial topic. Some people claim that it is a natural and safe ingredient, while others argue that it is toxic and harmful. The controversy surrounding borax as a food additive has led to its ban in Australia and other countries.
In Australia, the sale of borax is restricted to its use in household cleaners or pesticides. It is commonly found in multi-purpose cleaning products and has powerful antifungal properties, making it effective for treating mildew or fungal infections. Additionally, borax is used in cosmetics, such as moisturisers, scrubs, shampoos, and homemade slime.
The decision to ban borax as a food additive in Australia was likely influenced by concerns over its potential health risks. While borax is classified as non-carcinogenic, it can cause mild skin and lung irritation due to its high alkalinity. There is also an ongoing debate about whether excess boron, an ingredient in borax, can harm crops. As a result, the European Chemicals Agency has listed borax as a "substance of very high concern".
It is important to note that while borax has been banned as a food additive in Australia, it is still legally sold for other purposes when manufactured into finished products. Consumers are advised to use borax with caution and follow safety guidelines to prevent any potential health hazards.
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It is considered harmful to small children and pregnant women
Borax is a naturally occurring compound found in evaporite deposits, which are mineral deposits caused by the evaporation of lakes. While it is commonly used as a cleaning product, it is also used in cosmetics, slime, and as a treatment for arthritis.
Despite its popularity, borax is considered potentially harmful, particularly to small children and pregnant women. This is because if borax is ingested in high quantities, it can be extremely harmful and even fatal. Small children and animals who consume borax can become extremely ill or even die. As such, it is recommended that borax is not used around developing fetuses or small children.
In addition, borax has been classified as a mild skin irritant due to its high alkalinity. Excessive use of borax can cause skin irritation, similar to the irritation caused by excessive use of baking soda. While it is not considered carcinogenic, borax has also been identified as a mild lung irritant, although it causes no lasting damage.
Due to these concerns, the sale of borax to the general public is restricted in some countries. For example, while borax is legal to sell in Australia, it is only permitted for use in household cleaners or pesticides, and is banned as a food additive. In the UK, borax is banned entirely due to its potentially harmful nature, and the European Chemicals Agency has listed it as a substance of very high concern.
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It is a mild skin and lung irritant
Borax is a naturally occurring compound found in what are called 'evaporite deposits', which are mineral deposits caused by the evaporation of lakes. It is also known as boron, sodium borate, or sodium tetraborate. While borax is not banned in Australia, it is only legal to sell it in the form of household cleaners or pesticides.
Borax is a mild skin and lung irritant. The high alkalinity of borax is likely what causes skin irritation. Excessive use of baking soda, for example, would cause a similar reaction. There are also several studies in the ToxNet database that show it causes no lasting damage when inhaled.
Borax has powerful antifungal properties and is used to treat mildew or fungal infections in humans. It is also used in cosmetics, such as moisturisers, scrubs, shampoos, and hair softeners. However, it is banned as a food additive in Australia, the UK, and by the FDA, due to its classification as a "potentially harmful substance".
Some people are wary of using borax in their homes due to its potential health risks. There are plenty of alternatives to borax for cleaning, such as white vinegar and baking soda.
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Frequently asked questions
No, borax is legal to sell in Australia. However, it is only legal as a household cleaner or pesticide; it is banned as a food additive.
The FDA banned borax as a food additive because it is deemed a health hazard. It is also believed to harm crops due to excess boron in the soil.
Borax is classified as a mild skin and lung irritant. It can also cause illness or death if ingested by animals or small children.
Borax is a naturally-occurring compound that is commonly used as a cleaner, disinfectant, and deodorizer. It is also used in cosmetics, as an emulsifier or preservative, and in homemade slime.
