Provenance

Reference data from EU CLP Annex VI and published regulations — verify against your supplier's SDS before use.

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Safety data sheet reference · CAS 10043-35-3

Boric acid SDS

also: boric acid MSDS · safety data sheet · H3BO3 · CAS 10043-35-3 · EC 233-139-2

Danger
Health Hazard GHS08

Official PDF from supplier

This page is a reference, not the legal document.

CAS number

10043-35-3

EC number

233-139-2

CLP Annex VI index

005-007-00-2

Molecular formula

H3BO3

§ 02 · Hazards identification

Boric acid harmonised EU classification

CLP Annex VI · Index 005-007-00-2. A supplier SDS may add self-classified hazards — this is the legal minimum.

H360FD May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.

Precautionary statements

P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
P308 IF exposed or concerned:
P313 Get medical advice or attention.

Codes ending in a colon introduce the action that follows — on a label they are printed as combined statements, such as P305+P351+P338.

§ 03 · Composition and identifiers

Boric acid molecular structure

Boric acid is a molecular compound. The skeletal formula below is drawn from its PubChem SMILES string, and every value in this section is computed from that structure.

Skeletal formula of boric acid (H3BO3)

2D skeletal formula · H3BO3

SMILES B(O)(O)O
InChI InChI=1S/BH3O3/c2-1(3)4/h2-4H
InChIKey KGBXLFKZBHKPEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PubChem CID 7628 →

Hybridisation

B sp² · O sp³ ×3

Molecular geometry

trigonal planar · 120° ideal

Electron count

24 valence e⁻ · 6 lone pairs

Identifiers from PubChem (NIH, public domain). Structure diagram drawn with RDKit from the SMILES string. Geometry and hybridisation are computed from the connection table, not measured.

§ 04 · First-aid measures

Boric acid first aid measures

Call your national emergency number first. These are published first-aid measures, not medical advice, and they do not replace emergency services, a poison control centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.

§4–§6 below reproduce the CAMEO Chemicals entry BORIC ACID. CAMEO publishes response data per product entry, so the entry can describe a solution, a refrigerated liquid or a molten form rather than the pure substance in §9 — check it matches what you are handling.

EYES

First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN

IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION

IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.

Source: NTP, 1992 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain.

§ 05 · Fire-fighting measures

Boric acid fire fighting measures

Fire and explosion hazard

Literature sources indicate that this compound is nonflammable.

Extinguishing media and tactics

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water fog.

Source: USCG, 1999 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: BORIC ACID.

§ 06 · Accidental release measures

Boric acid spill and leak response

Containment and clean-up

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGEIf you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a strong soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

STORAGE PRECAUTIONSYou should store this material under ambient temperatures.

Source: NTP, 1992 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: BORIC ACID.

§ 07 · Handling and storage

Boric acid computed storage compatibility

§ 09 · Physical and chemical properties

Boric acid physical properties

Melting point 171.1 °C
Boiling point 300 °C
Relative density (water = 1) 1.435

Source: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain); per-value source references stored in the database.

§ 10 · Stability and reactivity

Reactive group (CAMEO/NOAA): Acids, Weak. Our database documents 21 incompatible and 18 caution reaction-partner groups for boric acid — including which combinations release gas on contact. See the per-partner breakdown with gas release →

21

Incompatible

18

Caution

§ 11 · Toxicological information

Boric acid acute toxicity estimates

Acute tox. classification Not classified under CLP — no acute-toxicity H-code
Route ATE value
Oral (mg/kg bw) 1
Dermal (mg/kg bw) No data
Inhalation, gas (ppmV, 4 h) No data
Inhalation, vapour (mg/L, 4 h) No data
Inhalation, dust / mist (mg/L, 4 h) No data

Acute Toxicity Estimates (ATE) are regulatory values used for classification under CLP and OSHA HCS Appendix A — not a measure of "safe dose". Empty routes render as "No data", never as a numeric zero.

§ 13 · Disposal considerations

Dispose of waste and residues in accordance with local and national regulations — in the EU under the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC. Never discharge to drains or municipal waste; hand contaminated packaging and unused product to an authorised waste-disposal company. The supplier's SDS section 13 lists the applicable waste codes for the specific product.

MSDS vs SDS

Boric acid MSDS vs SDS: is there a difference?

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the format is set by REACH Annex II. So a "boric acid MSDS" and a "boric acid SDS" refer to the same document — today it is issued as an SDS. Full breakdown of the differences →

Other mineral acids in our database

Compliance hub

From classification to SDS

The classification above corresponds to Section 2 of a Safety Data Sheet. Learn how a compliant 16-section SDS is structured and authored →

GHS label maker

Build the label for boric acid

Pictograms, signal word and H-statements combined into a compliant label layout →

§ 16 · Sources

Reference aid only. This page summarises the harmonised EU classification and computed storage guidance — it is not a Safety Data Sheet and does not replace one. Always verify hazards, handling and storage against the supplier's SDS (sections 7 and 10) and local regulations before use. Page updated 2026-08-11.

Frequently asked questions about boric acid

Is an MSDS the same as an SDS?

In practice, yes. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the SDS format is set by REACH Annex II. A document you find labelled "boric acid MSDS" is today issued as an SDS.

What GHS pictograms does boric acid require?

Under the harmonised EU classification (CLP Annex VI), boric acid carries GHS08 with the signal word "Danger". Hazard statements: H360FD. A supplier's SDS may add self-classified hazards on top of this harmonised minimum.

What should boric acid never be stored with?

Based on its storage class (Mineral acids), boric acid must not share storage with: Bases; Cyanides & sulfides; Organic peroxides & self-reactives; Oxidizing acids; Oxidizers; Reactive metals; Water-reactives. Verify against the supplier's SDS sections 7 and 10 before finalising storage.

Where can I download an official boric acid SDS PDF?

From your own supplier — an SDS is issued per product and supplier, so the correct PDF for an inspection is the one matching the product you actually purchased. The supplier links on this page lead to the official SDS libraries of major distributors.

Emergency mode Boric acid

Call emergency services first

112 in the EU · 911 in the US. This screen is published response information, not medical advice, and it does not replace emergency services, a poison centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.

Text below is the CAMEO Chemicals entry BORIC ACID — confirm it matches the form in front of you.

01 · First aid

What to do for the person

EYES

First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN

IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION

IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.

02 · Fire

Extinguishing and tactics

Fire and explosion hazard

Literature sources indicate that this compound is nonflammable.

Extinguishing media and tactics

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water fog.

03 · Spill

Containment, isolation, evacuation

Containment and clean-up

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGEIf you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a strong soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

STORAGE PRECAUTIONSYou should store this material under ambient temperatures.

Sources: ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Text reproduced verbatim.

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