Environmental Impact and Health Effects of Boron

Boron is a nonmetallic element and the only non-metal group 13 of periodic table of elements. It is deficient in electrons, with a P-orbital. It has several forms, the most common being the amorphous boron, a black powder, no reactive oxygen water, acids and alkalis. It reacts with metals to form borides. At normal temperatures boron is an electrical conductor of poor quality, but becomes a good conductor at high temperatures. The compound most economically important of boron is sodium tetraborate Na2B4O7 · 10H2O, or borax used for insulation of fiberglass and bleach PBS. Boric acid is a compound important in textiles. Compounds boron are used in organic synthesis, manufacture of a particular type of glass, and as wood preservatives. Boron filaments are used for advanced aerospace structures, due to their high strength and lightness. An early use of borax was to perborate, Agent the stranding, once widely used in household detergents. Boron also entered the average home under the guise of preserving food, especially for margarine and fish.

Boron is not present in nature in elemental form. It is combined in the borax, boric acid, kernite, Ulexite, colemanite and borates. Volcanic spring waters may contain boric acid. Boron is an element that occurs in the environment mainly by natural processes. Seawater contains about 4-5 ppm of this element. The river water contains generally 10 ppb. In algae and 8-15 ppm in mussels 4-5 ppm (dry weight) of boron was found. Boron dissolved in water as is the case B (OH) 3 (aq) or B (OH) 4 – (aq). Under normal circumstances boron does not react with water. However, some compounds of boron may do so. For example, the trifluoride boron complex ethyl ether reacts with water forming diethyl ether – BF3, and releasing some highly flammable gas. A number of boron compounds such as boron tri iodide, are hydrolyzed in water. Boron salts are generally soluble in water. Acid Boric has a water solubility of 57 g / L, borax, 25.2 g / L, and boron trioxide, 22 g / L. Boron trifluoride is less water soluble compounds boron, with a water solubility of 2.4 g / L. Some boron compounds such as boron nitrite are completely insoluble in water.

The most abundant minerals containing boron kernite, borax and colemanite Ulexite. It can also be found in Slate in the silt and rock formations rich. Air-tight soil contains boron concentrations between 5 and 80 ppm. Boron-rich places, such as fumaroles, containing boric acid, borates and mineral boron. The degree of binding to clay minerals is mainly pH-dependent. Boron is released from rocks and soils by weathering, and ends thereafter in water. In industry, the pure element is rarely used except for the production of metal boride, or to improve conductivity of aluminum. Metal borides are treated for such turbines, the power of rocket containers for reactions to high temperature, and the electrodes. The hardness of the steel is improved by the addition of boron.

Sodium perborate is used as bleaching agent in detergents. This eventually forms borate, which directly damage aquatic plants. Borates are used as water softeners. Other Boron compounds are used in glass, fiberglass, ceramics and electronic production mail. The glass is stronger and more resistant heat when boron is added, and the glass fibers are used as insulation. Boron compounds may also be found in cleaning products, the batteries, the Conservatives illegal, and eye drops. The most important compounds in this regard are borax, boron oxide and acid Boric. Boric acid and borax are added to fertilizers and pesticides in large quantities. The element is also present in the impregnation and preservation of wood. It is applied as abrasive as boron carbide and boron nitrite. Boron has a specific function in a polymer matrix. It is applied to regulate nuclear reactors as a coolant in dangerous situations. It also absorbs neutrons in the heart of the engine. Boron often end up in soils and groundwater by domestic shocks, when improperly sealed. It serves as a composite indicator which shows the typical presence of other dangerous substances.

It occurs naturally in the environment due to release into the air, soil and water by the weather. It may also occur in groundwater in very small amounts. Add boron in humans by the glass manufacturing, coal combustion, smelting of copper and the addition of fertilizer farm. Concentrations of boron are added by humans are smaller than the concentrations added naturally by natural weathering. Boron exposure via air and drinking water is not very likely to occur, but the risk of exposure to borate dust in the workplace exists. Boron exposure may also occur from consumer products such as cosmetics and detergents. Plants absorb boron from the plant floor and the animals consuming it may end up in food chains. Boron has been found in animal tissues, but it is not likely to accumulate. When animals absorb large amounts of boron over a relatively long time by food or water the male reproductive organs are affected. When animals are exposed to boron during pregnancy their offspring may be suffering from congenital malformations or developmental delay. In addition, animals are likely to suffer irritation of the nose when they breathe in boron.

Boron is a dietary requirement for a number of organizations, and plays an important role in mitosis. This is true for green algae, and some species of higher plants. Causing problems with boron deficiencies and growth problems in mobilizing sugar. The boron compound which is absorbed most is boric acid. Plants contain 30-75 ppm of boron (dry weight). The mechanism begins toxic at concentrations above 100 ppm. This may lower crop yields. Grasses tolerate relatively high concentrations of boron, but pines are particularly sensitive. However, trees do not require large amounts of boron compared to other plant species. A tolerable concentration of boron in soil is about 25 ppm. Concentrations of boron in the High water may be toxic to fish species on concentrations of 10-300 mg / L. For aquatic plants mainly borate is dangerous. Boron is not a dietary requirement for vertebrates. Acid Boric is slightly hazardous to water, but halogen boron water are highly dangerous. Boron is fairly mobile and is slowly changing. It may thus spread rapidly in water. Boron has two stable isotopes and fourteen unstable.

Humans can be exposed to boron by fruit and vegetables, water, air and consumer products. We input Regular daily and about 2 mg to about 18 mg in the body in total. When humans consume large quantities of foods containing boron concentrations of boron in their body may rise to levels that can cause health problems. Boron can infect the stomach, liver, kidneys and brain and can eventually cause death. When exposure to small amounts of boron takes place in irritation of the nose, throat or eyes may be produce. It takes 5 g of boric acid to make a person sick and 20 grams or more to put his life in danger. Eating fish or meat does not increase the concentration boron in the body, such as boron does not accumulate in the tissues of animals. The human body contains about 0.7 ppm of boron, an element which is not considered a dietary requirement. Nevertheless, we absorb this element from food because it is a dietary requirement for plants. The daily intake is about 2 mg. The amount of boron present in fruits and vegetables is below the limit toxicity.
At a daily dose of more than 5 g of boric acid, the body is clearly influenced negatively, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and blood clotting. Amounts over 20 g are lethal. Boric acid irritates the skin and eyes. Skin contact with the trifluoride boron May cause corrosion. A possible correlation between the amount of boron in soil and drinking water, and the onset of arthritis among people. Both borax, boric acid, and are applied in medicine in certain amounts. Characteristics of neutron absorption of boron are applied in the treatment of brain tumors (boron neutron capture therapy).

About the Author

Dr.Badruddin Khan teaches Chemistry in the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.His E.mail is:khanbudr@yahoo.co.in

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