Safety assessment of boron in aquatic and terrestrial environments

Boron is a naturally occurring material and is used in industrial and domestic products. Its major release into the environment is through weathering processes and wastewater discharge. Boron is an essential nutrient for plants, but can above certain concentrations be toxic to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. This paper assesses the ecotoxicology and environmental safety of boron. It draws together the data for toxicological effects of boron and compares these with environmental concentrations of boron, measured in Europe and the U.S.A. Generally, environmental concentrations of boron found in surface water are below levels identified as toxic to aquatic organisms. Concentrations high enough to produce toxic effects in laboratory tests are found in areas where weathering of boron-rich formations and deposits occurs, such as in the southwestern United States. However, reproducing populations of the most sensitive species, rainbow trout, have been observed in surface waters in these regions, indicating no cause for concern. The prime concern for effects on terrestrial plants centers on the use of irrigation water with elevated levels of boron. At present, there is no evidence of widespread damage to crops resulting from this practice. In some areas, wastewater is used for irrigation and crops grown under these conditions are generally confined to those relatively insensitive to boron toxicity. Good irrigation practices will be necessary, however, in arid regions with high evapotranspiration rates and care will be needed when using wastewater, particularly in areas with naturally high boron levels. It is not anticipated that there will be any significant increase in the discharge of boron to the environment in the foreseeable future. The use of boron-containing products is expected to increase, but glass will remain the dominant market and the use of boron in detergents in Europe is expected to decrease due to the introduction of bleach activators and liquid detergents. There is a possibility that perborate may be used in detergents in the U.S.A.; however, the estimated increase in boron concentrations is likely to be environmentally insignificant.