Boric acid (also known as boracic acid) is a white crystalline compound. It is soluble in ethanol and water. It occurs naturally as a condensate of volcanic steam vents. For commercial purposes, it is derived by treating kernite (borate minerals) with sulfuric acid. Boric acid is also extensively used in pharmaceutics and cosmetics as it is recognized as a pH buffer, an emulsifier and an antiseptic.
Boron
Boron is a nonmetallic element. It can be found in several allotropes, the most common of which are amorphous and crystalline boron. Crystalline form is not as reactive as the amorphous form. Boron is widely found as borates but not in its elemental form. The most convenient way of obtaining amorphous boron powder is by reducing boron trioxide through heating with magnesium. Boric acid is derived from borate ores (kernite) when it reacts with sulfuric acid. Boron could be an effective treatment for patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is characterized by degeneration of cartilage and bone joints. United States National Library of Medicine reports that, "Based on human population research, in a boron-rich environment, people appear to have fewer joint disorders. It has also been proposed that boron deficiency may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis."
Three Compounds Making Boric Acid
The three compounds which make up boric acid are orthoboric acid, metaboric acid and tetraboric acid. Orthoboric acid does not dissolve in cold water but it readily dissolves in alcohol, hot water and glycerin. Metaboric acid is white and comes as cubic crystals and dissolves lightly in water. Tetraboric acid appears white in its solid state and dissolves in water.
Home Remedies
Boric acid is in many mouth washes, ointments, eye-drops, creams, shampoos. According to Drugs.com, "Boric acid ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used as an eye wash to cleanse or irrigate the eyes." Boric acid is a skin ointment for treating burns, cuts, dry skin, windburn, sunburn, windburn and insect bites. Boric acid skin ointment is only for external use and should not be swallowed. The ingestion of boric acid skin ointment could result in side effects such as nausea, vomiting or stomach pain.
Cancer Treatment
Boric acid is also known to destroy cancer cells when boron compounds are used with isotopes selectively. According to chemicalland21.com, "Boric acid is also known boron compounds made with all 10B isotope selectively destroy cancer cell." Boric acid can be a treatment for prostrate cancer as National Center for Biotechnology Information reports, "the dominant form of boron in plasma, inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer cell lines, DU-145 and LNCaP, in a dose-dependent manner."
Other Uses
Boric acid is used industrially for manufacturing fiberglass or borosilicate glass because its boron fibers provide high tensile strength. In optical industry, boric compounds are used to prevent mechanical or thermal shocks, improving the durability of glass. Boric acid is also extensively used for preserving wood and in pesticides. It preserves wooden furniture by eliminating harmful fungi and insects. In agriculture, boric acid is a necessary micronutrient that boosts growth in plants.
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